Perioperative Factors Aggravating Pharyngocutaneous Fistula After Total Laryngectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis Using the Clavien-Dindo Classification.

BACKGROUND: Pharyngocutaneous fistula formation represents a major postoperative complication following total laryngectomy. We aimed to investigate the risk factors for pharyngocutaneous fistula development after total laryngectomy and to identify factors that lead to severe cases of pharyngocutaneous fistula. METHODS: Patients who underwent total laryngectomy between January 2013 and February 2021 were included in the study and were divided into 2 groups: Those with and without pharyngocutaneous fistula. The severity of pharyngocutaneous fistula was graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: Patients with pharyngocutaneous fistula experienced longer operative time, greater intraoperative blood loss, greater decrease in perioperative hemoglobin level, and longer postoperative hospitalization. Unlike in lower-severity cases, patients with grade IIIb pharyngocutaneous fistula underwent preoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy; preoperative treatment was thus a risk factor for higher severity of pharyngocutaneous fistula (odds ratio, 35; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Salvage laryngectomy was found to be a predictor of severe pharyngocutaneous fistula development. Prolonged operative time, increased intraoperative blood loss, and decreased postoperative hemoglobin level were found to be predictors of postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula formation.

Reconstruction of elbow skin and soft tissue defects using perforator-pedicled propeller flaps.

BACKGROUND: The elbow is a challenging region to reconstruct functionally. Several closure methods for elbow wounds have been reported, including flap surgery. Here, we present the results obtained using a propeller flap pedicled by a posterior ulnar recurrence artery perforator (PURAP) or a radial collateral artery perforator (RCAP) for functional reconstruction of soft tissue defects in elbows. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with an average age of 27.0 years (range, 9-52 years) underwent elbow soft tissue reconstructions between 2005 and 2015. Twenty-one patients were male and three were female. Among them, 18 patients received a PURAP flap transfer and six received a RCAP flap transfer. The frequent soft tissue defects were due to release of a postburn scar contracture in 12 patients, trauma in ten patients. Functional results were obtained by measuring range of motion (ROM). RESULTS: The mean follow up time was 10.1 months (range, 4-22 months). The flaps ranged in size from 3 × 5 cm to 16 × 6 cm. Nearly all flaps survived with only one showing partial necrosis. 16 and 8 patients achieved ranges of motions of 0-5 and 6-15 degree extension and 130-145 degree flexion. CONCLUSIONS: With the aims of easy flap harvest, primary donor site closure, skin texture match, and avoiding vascular anastomosis, both PURAP and RCAP were employed. Both flap transfer techniques were safe and effective for elbow soft tissue reconstruction. It is important to ensure that the skin defect and flap design are closely matched.

[Assessment of Feasibility of Early Ambulation and Food-intake on the Operative Day after Lung Resection].

To decrease the risk of morbidity, we have started an early ambulation and food-intake program conducted on the same day as pulmonary resection. This protocol was developed with consideration of the characteristics of lung surgery and conducted through an interdisciplinary team-approach. The assessment of feasibility and clinical effectiveness of this protocol was evaluated in 64 consecutive patients. No apparent adverse effect relating to this protocol was recorded. Fifty-five of 64 patients( 80%) were able to accomplish ambulation to the up-right standing position. Thirty-four of 64 patients( 53%) were able to consume more than half the amount of their hospital supper. No patients, including 5 patients who had had a past-history of postoperative delirium after their previous surgery, developed postoperative delirium after conducting this protocol. This protocol, which consisted of extraordinary early ambulation and food-intake on the operative day, was done safely and is expected to have some benefit as a postoperative management protocol for lung surgery.

Efficient design of a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap to repair large skin defects of the upper back.

Closing large skin defects of the upper back is a challenging problem. We have developed an efficient design for a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction in this region. The longitudinal axis of the skin island was designed to be perpendicular to the line of least skin tension at the recipient site so that primary closure of the flap donor site changed the shape of the recipient site to one that was easier to close. We used this method for four patients with skin cancers or soft-tissue sarcomas of the upper back in 2011 and 2012. The size of skin defects after wide excision ranged from 11 × 10 to 25 × 20 cm(2) , and all skin defects could be covered by the flaps and all wounds of donor site could be closed without skin grafts. No wound complications occurred in any patient. Functional and aesthetic outcomes were satisfactory in all patients. This flap design is effective for reconstructing large skin defects of the upper back.

Pedicled superficial femoral artery perforator flaps for reconstruction of large groin defects.

Soft-tissue defects after wide resection of groin sarcomas have been reconstructed with well-characterized flaps, such as rectus abdominis, gracilis, and anterolateral thigh flaps. To our knowledge, the use of superficial femoral artery perforator (S-FAP) flaps for this purpose has not been reported. We report on three female patients in whom groin defects after sarcoma resection were reconstructed with pedicled S-FAP flaps. The dimensions of the skin defects ranged from 13.5 × 11 to 16 × 14.5 cm. Sizable perforators from the superficial femoral arteries were identified preoperatively around the apex of the femoral triangle with computed tomographic angiography or color Doppler ultrasonography. The lengths of the flaps ranged from 17 to 19 cm. The main perforator penetrated the sartorius muscle in two patients and emerged between the sartorius and the adductor longus muscles in the other patient. The postoperative course was uneventful, and results were satisfactory in all patients. The main advantages of the S-FAP flap over more commonly used flaps are that it is easier to harvest and is associated with less donor-site morbidity. We believe that the S-FAP flap may be a versatile option for the coverage of groin defects.

Superficial Thoracic Artery Perforator Flap for Volume Replacement Oncoplastic Breast-conserving Surgery.

Lateral chest wall perforator flaps, such as the lateral intercostal artery perforator flap, lateral thoracic artery perforator flap, and thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, have been used for volume replacement oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (VR-OPBCS) in the lateral and central breast. However, there are cases in which these perforators are missing or too thin, making it difficult to raise a flap for partial breast reconstruction. A 58-year-old woman underwent VR-OPBCS for breast cancer in the lower quadrant of the right breast. Preoperative imaging studies did not identify lateral thoracic artery perforator or thoracodorsal artery perforator but identified a well-developed superficial thoracic artery perforator (STAP). A flap based on the STAP was dissected, and partial breast reconstruction was performed. The flap survived with no complications. No deformity of the lower breast or displacement of the nipple-areola complex was observed 8 months after the completion of postoperative radiotherapy. The STAP flap can be used as an alternative to VR-OPBCS when other lateral chest wall perforator flaps are unavailable.

Groin and anterolateral thigh flaps for hemiglossectomy reconstruction: A comparison based on Japanese speech intelligibility.

OBJECTIVE: The differences in speech function between groin flap reconstruction and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction after hemiglossectomy have not been clarified to date. This study aimed to compare Japanese speech intelligibility after hemiglossectomy reconstruction using groin and ALT flaps of similar thickness. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent hemiglossectomy reconstruction with groin or ALT flaps between April 2010 and March 2020 were collected from the medical chart database. The ALT flap was the first choice for hemiglossectomy reconstruction, and a groin flap was used when the ALT flap was >10 mm. Cases in which speech intelligibility assessments based on Hirose's 10-point scoring system, the TKR speech test, and the Japanese speech intelligibility test for 100 monosyllables were performed after 6 months postoperatively were extracted. The per-patient scores for each assessment were initially compared between the two flap groups. Then, the results of the Japanese speech intelligibility test for 100 monosyllables were reanalyzed on a syllable-by-syllable basis. RESULTS: Among the 44 hemiglossectomy patients who underwent free-flap reconstruction during the study period, 14 (seven each in the groin flap and ALT flap groups) underwent all three conventional speech intelligibility assessments after 6 months postoperatively. The two groups showed no significant difference in postoperative speech intelligibility in any of the three patient assessment methods. However, in intergroup comparisons based on per-syllable accuracy for each of the 100 monosyllables, the groin flap group showed 19 syllables with a significantly higher accuracy, whereas the ALT flap group showed one such syllable. In particular, five out of the six alveolar consonants (/t/ and /d/) were more accurately articulated in the groin flap group. Per-syllable accuracy was significantly higher in the groin flap group (74.6% vs. 66.7%; 95% confidence interval: 4.6-11.1, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing hemiglossectomy reconstruction, our new analysis method, which compared intelligibility by syllables, showed that the groin flap yielded higher speech intelligibility than the ALT flap. This difference was evident at all four articulation points involving the tongue, whereas there was no significant difference at the two articulation points without tongue involvement.

Hemodynamics and Vascular Histology of Keloid Tissues and Anatomy of Nearby Blood Vessels.

Keloids are red' invasive scars that are driven by chronic inflammation in the reticular dermis. The role of blood vessels in keloid behavior remains poorly understood. In the present study with 32 keloid patients, we examined the hemodynamics of keloid tissue, the anatomy of the blood vessels feeding and draining the keloids, and the vascular histology of keloids. Methods: Ten patients with large anterior chest keloids underwent near-infrared spectroscopy, which measured regional saturation of oxygen and total hemoglobin index in the keloid and surrounding skin. Another 10 patients with large chest keloids and three healthy volunteers underwent multidetector-low computed tomography. The extirpated chest keloids of 12 patients were subjected to histology with optical, CD31 immunohistochemical, and electron microscopy. Results: All keloids had a low regional saturation of oxygen and a high total hemoglobin index, which is indicative of blood congestion. Multidetector-low computed tomography revealed dilation of the arteries and veins that were respectively feeding and draining the keloid leading edge. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and CD31 immunohistochemisty revealed considerable neovascularization in the keloid leading edge but not in the center. Electron microscopy showed that the lumens of many vessels in the keloid center appeared to be occluded or narrowed. Conclusions: Keloids seem to be congested because of increased neovascularization and arterial inflow at the leading edge and blocked outflow due to vascular destruction in the center. The surrounding veins seem to expand in response to this congested state. Methods that improve the blood circulation in keloids may be effective therapies.

Thorax anthropometric position index: a simple evaluation of the inframammary fold position in the thorax.

Appropriate positioning of the inframammary fold (IMF) is essential for breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively measure and evaluate the anthropometric position of the IMF in the thorax. A total of 145 Japanese women with unilateral breast cancer were analyzed. To indicate the superior-inferior position of the IMF on the non-diseased side, the distances from the sternal notch (SN) to the IMF along the midline (SN-IMFM) and from the SN to the umbilicus (UB) (SN-UB) were measured. A new index, the thorax anthropometric position (TAP) index for the IMF, was then defined as the ratio of SN-IMFM to SN-UB. The TAP index was calculated for each patient, and its correlations with demographic parameters, including age, body height, and body mass index, were statistically assessed. The TAP index was normally distributed and ranged from 0.500 to 0.704, with a mean of 0.590. Multivariate analysis revealed that age was an independent factor associated with a higher TAP index (p < .01). In addition, the paired t-test showed that the TAP index was significantly greater in the standing position than in the supine position (p < .001). The position of the IMF in the thorax could be objectively described by the TAP index, and it was suggested to become inferior with age and the standing position. The index, along with these findings, will provide useful information for the evaluation of the breast contour in an objective and simple manner.

Utility of the evaluation of blood flow of remnant esophagus with indocyanine green in esophagectomy with jejunum reconstruction: Case series.

BACKGROUND: Pedicled jejunal flap can be utilized with various tips for esophageal reconstruction in patients with a history of gastrectomy or those who have undergone synchronous esophagogastrectomy. However, the rate of anastomosis leakage is high; therefore, we considered the evaluation of blood flow of the remnant esophagus with indocyanine green in setting the anastomosis site. METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent radical esophagectomy with pedicled jejunal flap between January 2011 and June 2020 were identified. From June 2019, blood flow in the pedicled jejunum and remnant esophagus were evaluated to set the anastomosis site of the latter. Usually, the second and third jejunal vessels are transected, and if the jejunal flap cannot reach to the anastomosis point, we actively transect the marginal vessels to stretch the jejunal flap. Microvascular anastomosis between the jejunal branches and the internal thoracic vessels is usually made, and the anastomosis site is set at the well-stained part of the esophagus. RESULTS: Overall, 39 patients underwent the procedure before June 2019 (Group A), and 11 patients underwent the procedure since June 2019 (Group B). No significant difference was found in the patients' background, type of preoperative therapy, presence or absence of ligation of marginal vessels and two-stage operation between the groups. Group A had 16 cases of anastomosis leakage; B had only 1 case (p < 0.05). There were no cases of pedicled jejunum graft necrosis. CONCLUSION: Assessing remnant esophageal perfusion by indocyanine green imaging in pedicled jejunum reconstruction resulted in a lower anastomotic leak rate.

Clavien-Dindo classification for grading complications after total pharyngolaryngectomy and free jejunum transfer.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of postoperative complications is used as an indicator of surgical quality; however, comparison of outcomes is hampered by a lack of agreement on the definition of complications and their severity. A standard grading system for surgical complications is necessary to improve the quality of clinical research and reporting in head and neck reconstruction. METHODS: The aim of this study was to compare postoperative morbidity after microvascular head and neck reconstruction between patients with versus without a history of prior radiation therapy (RT) by using the Clavien-Dindo classification. A group of 274 patients was divided into two cohorts based on the history of prior RT: the RT group included 79 patients and the non-RT group included 195 patients. Postoperative (30-day) complications were compared between the groups with a nonstandardized evaluation system and the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: The grades of complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification were significantly higher in the RT group than in the non-RT group. The frequency of postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the groups according to the nonstandardized evaluation system. CONCLUSIONS: The Clavien-Dindo classification could serve as a useful, highly objective tool for grading operative morbidity after microvascular head and neck reconstruction when comparing similar defects and methods of reconstruction. Widespread use of the Clavien-Dindo classification system would allow adequate comparisons of surgical outcomes among different surgeons, centers, and therapies.

Exposed Artificial Plate Covered With Perifascial Areolar Tissue as a Nonvascularized Graft.

Perifascial areolar tissue (PAT) is a loose connective tissue on deep fascia, such as on the groin, thigh, or temporal region, which has abundant vascular plexus and mesenchymal stem cells. Nonvascularized PAT grafts can survive even on hypovascular wound beds. Therefore, PAT grafting is a possible alternative to conventional flap surgery to cover exposed bone or artifacts. In this article, we describe 2 cases of PAT grafting for the treatment of skin ulcers with exposed bone and artificial plate after mandible reconstruction. After negative-pressure wound therapy, PAT was used to covering exposed artificial plate for both cases, and a skin graft onto the PAT graft was performed in 1 case. The ulcers improved in both cases without recurrence. The gold-standard treatment of intractable ulcers and fistulas with an exposed tendon, bone, or artifact is coverage by a well-vascularized skin flap. However, PAT grafting has advantages in similar situations, occasionally together with skin grafting and/or negative-pressure wound therapy, because it is technically simple and less invasive.

Experimental Rat Skin Flap Model That Distinguishes between Venous Congestion and Arterial Ischemia: The Reverse U-Shaped Bipedicled Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery and Venous System Flap.

BACKGROUND: The commonly used flap models have drawbacks that limit their usefulness. In the random skin flap model, flap necrosis is caused by both arterial and venous insufficiency. In the axial skin flap model, flap viability is easily affected by the pedicle blood flow and can result in complete necrosis. This study aimed to establish a new rat skin flap model that has a consistent flap survival rate and in which venous congestion and arterial ischemia can be readily distinguished macroscopically. METHODS: Rats underwent reverse U-shaped bipedicled superficial epigastric artery flap elevation. The right superficial epigastric vessels formed the pedicle. In the control rats (n = 3), the left superficial epigastric vessels were left intact. In the ischemia group (n = 10), the left superficial epigastric artery was ligated. In the congestion group (n = 10), the left superficial epigastric vein was ligated. The flap was returned to the original site and sutured. The surrounding neovascularization was blocked by polyurethane film. Flap survival rates were evaluated on postoperative day 3. RESULTS: The flaps in the ischemia and congestion groups were noticeably pale and violet, respectively. Flap necrosis was noted in the contralateral distal zone only. It started on postoperative day 2 in the ischemia and congestion groups. The mean flap survival rates of the control, ischemia, and congestion groups were 100 percent, 61.8 percent (range, 56.9 to 67.1 percent), and 42.3 percent (35.7 to 48.7 percent), respectively (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The flap facilitated discrimination of the effects of ischemia and congestion. This new rat skin flap model is simple and easy to construct, and has a consistent flap survival rate.

Usefulness of the Clavien-Dindo Classification in Understanding the Limitations and Indications of Larynx-preserving Esophageal Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification is used to evaluate the severity of surgical complications. However, its usefulness in esophageal reconstruction has not been reported. To address this, this case series study used the CD classification to evaluate the complications after cervical esophageal reconstruction with free jejunum transfer or supercharged pedicled intestinal transfer. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent esophageal cancer surgery with larynx-preserving free jejunum or pedicled ileocolic transfer in June 2012-December 2015 were identified. The postoperative complications were classified using the CD classification. RESULTS: In total, 22 patients (20 men and 2 women; mean age, 63.3 years) underwent esophageal cancer reconstruction with larynx-preserving free jejunum transfer (n = 9) and supercharged pedicled intestinal transfer (n = 13). Seven patients underwent prophylactic tracheotomy. Four patients underwent emergent tracheotomy 1 or 5 days after surgery. The most frequent complication was recurrent nerve paralysis (RNP) (n = 8). Of these 8 RNP cases, 6 and 2 were classified as CD I and III complications, respectively. Pneumonia was the next most common complication (n = 7). Of these 7 pneumonia cases, 5 and 2 were classified as CD II and III, respectively. There were 2 cases of intestinal anastomosis leakage (CD II and III). On average, patients were able to start oral alimentation 15.1 (9-35) days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis with the CD classification suggested that vascularized free jejunum transfer or supercharge-drainage pedicled ileocolic transfer prevents postoperative intestinal anastomosis leakage and that prophylactic tracheotomy is especially indicated in cases with significant surgical damage in the cervical region.

Objective Spectrometric Measurement of Keloid Color in the East Asian Population: Pitfalls of Subjective Color Measurements.

BACKGROUND: Keloids are characterized by the formation of excessive scar tissue that extends beyond the area of the initial wound. Keloid redness is due to angiogenesis and chronic inflammation and is an important indicator of the severity of the lesion and the effectiveness of treatment. METHODS: The color of 33 untreated keloids from 30 patients was measured with a narrow-band reflectance colorimeter. The erythema and melanin levels in the keloids (Ek and Mk, respectively) were recorded with control data obtained from the flexor aspect of the forearm (Ec and Mc, respectively). The keloid color was also evaluated subjectively. RESULTS: The Ek or Mk values did not vary significantly according to symptom intensity, scar region, patient age, and patient sex. Younger patients (<40 years) and female patients had significantly higher Ek/Ec ratios than did older patients and male patients, respectively. Subjective keloid redness evaluations distinguished keloids with high Ek/Ec ratios from keloids with low Ek/Ec ratios (P<0.0001) but could not distinguish keloids with high Ek from keloids with low Ek. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective evaluations of keloids in Japanese subjects reflected Ek/Ec ratios, which were strongly affected by variation in background skin color. The subjective assessment of the color of keloids or other skin disorders should be performed with caution in Asian populations.

Reconstruction after Anterior Chest Wall Keloid Resection Using Internal Mammary Artery Perforator Propeller Flaps.

It is difficult to completely resect huge anterior chest wall keloids and then close the wound directly. We report here our retrospective analysis of our case series of patients with such keloids who underwent reconstruction with internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) pedicled propeller flaps and then received postoperative high-dose-rate superficial brachytherapy. METHODS: All consecutive patients with large/severe keloids on the anterior chest wall who underwent keloid resection followed by reconstruction with IMAP-pedicled propeller flaps and then high-dose-rate superficial brachytherapy in our academic hospital were identified. All cases were followed for >18 months. Donor site position, perforator pedicle, flap size, angle of flap rotation, complications, and recurrence were documented. RESULTS: There were nine men and one woman. The average age was 37.9 years. The average follow-up duration was 28.7 months. The largest flap was 16 × 4 cm. The dominant perforators of the internal mammary artery were located in the sixth (n = 2), seventh (n = 5), eighth (n = 1), and ninth (n = 2) intercostal spaces. Twelve months after surgery, patients reported marked relief from keloid-associated pain and itching, except in two patients who underwent partial keloid resection; their remaining keloids were still troublesome but after conservative therapies, including steroid ointments/plasters, the keloids gradually ameliorated. Eighteen months after surgery, there was no keloid recurrence or new development of keloids on the donor site. CONCLUSIONS: IMAP-pedicled propeller flaps transfer skin tension from the anterior chest wall to the abdomen. Our series suggests that this approach combined with radiation therapy can control keloid recurrence.

Free descending genicular artery perforator flap harvested with the free-style approach: a case report.

The descending genicular artery perforator flap, also known as the saphenous flap, has rarely been used as a free flap. We report the successful use of a free descending genicular artery perforator flap to reconstruct a defect of the medial calf region in a 13-year-old boy with Ewing sarcoma. A dominant perforator from the descending genicular artery was detected preoperatively with computed tomographic angiography and colour Doppler ultrasonography. This flap provides a perfect texture match to the medial calf region, and its donor-site scars are better hidden than those on the lateral thigh. We believe that this flap is a versatile 'free-style free flap' for patients in whom a sizable perforator can be found with preoperative imaging.

Multidisciplinary team-based approach for comprehensive preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation including intensive nutritional support for lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: To decrease the risk of postoperative complication, improving general and pulmonary conditioning preoperatively should be considered essential for patients scheduled to undergo lung surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a short-term beneficial program of preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation for lung cancer patients. METHODS: From June 2009, comprehensive preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (CHPR) including intensive nutritional support was performed prospectively using a multidisciplinary team-based approach. Postoperative complication rate and the transitions of pulmonary function in CHPR were compared with historical data of conventional preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (CVPR) conducted since June 2006. The study population was limited to patients who underwent standard lobectomy. RESULTS: Postoperative complication rate in the CVPR (n = 29) and CHPR (n = 21) were 48.3% and 28.6% (p = 0.2428), respectively. Those in patients with Charlson Comorbidity Index scores ≥2 were 68.8% (n = 16) and 27.3% (n = 11), respectively (p = 0.0341) and those in patients with preoperative risk score in Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress scores >0.3 were 57.9% (n = 19) and 21.4% (n = 14), respectively (p = 0.0362). Vital capacities of pre- and post intervention before surgery in the CHPR group were 2.63±0.65 L and 2.75±0.63 L (p = 0.0043), respectively; however, their transition in the CVPR group was not statistically significant (p = 0.6815). Forced expiratory volumes in one second of pre- and post intervention before surgery in the CHPR group were 1.73±0.46 L and 1.87±0.46 L (p = 0.0012), respectively; however, their transition in the CVPR group was not statistically significant (p = 0.6424). CONCLUSIONS: CHPR appeared to be a beneficial and effective short-term preoperative rehabilitation protocol, especially in patients with poor preoperative conditions.