[Split thickness skin graft for coverage of soft tissue defects]. / Spalthauttransplantation zur weichteildefektdeckung.

OBJECTIVE: Coverage of skin or soft tissue defects of various sizes by transplantation of spit thickness skin grafts. INDICATIONS: Skin or soft tissue defects of any size or location as long as there is a good blood supply to the wound bed. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Wound bed providing poor blood supply (e.g., tendon or bone), vessels or nerve without soft tissue coverage, any kind of implant material which is not covered by vital soft tissue. Relative contraindications include defect position at the flexion side of joints or other mechanically stressed locations (e.g., heel, neck) and local infection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: By meticulous debridement of the recipient site and coagulation of venous bleedings, the recipient site is prepared for skin grafting. Thereafter, the split thickness skin graft is harvested and, if necessary, modified by the meshing procedure. Then, the skin graft is placed in the defect and fixated at the wound margins. To promote healing, a special compression dressing is used to cover the split thickness skin graft. In case of uneventful wound healing, this dressing should be left in place for 5 days. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: After removal of the compression dressing, daily changes are done using double layers of fatty gauze, alternated with periods without dressing. In the case of uneventful healing, the skin transplant can be covered starting in week 2 with a thin film of cream ointment. RESULTS: Split thickness skin grafting is a routine maneuver in reconstructive surgery and allows predictable, good results. Partial skin graft losses are mostly due to a combination of inadequate debridement and local infection. If the operation in done technically correct, total graft losses are rare.

Functional resurfacing of the palm: flap selection based on defect analysis.

Extensive defect coverage of the palm and anatomical reconstruction of its unique functional capacity remains difficult. In manual laborers, reconstruction of sensation, range of motion, grip strength but also mechanical stability is required. Sensate musculo-/fasciocutaneous flaps bear disadvantages of tissue mobility with shifting/bulkiness under stress. Thin muscle and fascial flaps show adherence but preclude sensory nerve coaptation. The purpose of this review is to present our algorithm for reliable selection of the most appropriate procedure based on defect analysis. Defect analysis focusing on units of tactile gnosis provides information to weigh needs for sensation or soft tissue stability. We distinguish radial unit (r)-thenar, ulnar unit (u)-hypothenar and unit (c)-central plus distal palm. Individual parameters need similar consideration to choose adequate treatment. Unit (r) and unit (u) are regions of secondary touch demanding protective sensation. Restoration of sensation using neurovascular, fasciocutaneous flaps is recommended. In unit (c), tactile gnosis is of less, mechanical resistance of greater value. Reconstruction of soft tissue resistance is suggested first in this unit. In laborers, free fascial- or muscle flaps with plantar instep skin grafts may achieve near to anatomical reconstruction with minimal sensation. Combined defects involving unit (c) require correlation with individual parameters for optimal flap selection. Defect coverage of the palm should not consist of merely providing sensate vascularized tissue. The most appropriate procedure should be derived from careful defect analysis to achieve near to anatomical reconstruction. In laborers, defect related demands need close correlation with sensation and mechanical stability to be expected.

[Free gracilis muscle flap with plantar intermediate thickness skin graft: case report, review of anatomy and functional reconstruction of the palm]. / M. gracilis Lappenplastik mit plantarem Spalthauttransplantat - Fallbericht und Literaturübersicht zur speziellen Anatomie der Hohlhand und ihrer funktionellen Rekonstruktion.

BACKGROUND: Skin and soft-tissue architecture of the palm are unique. Coverage of extensive soft-tissue defects restoring the functional capacity of the palm remains a challenging task. Anatomic restoration with skin from another area is hardly possible. In manual labourers, reconstruction of mechanical soft-tissue stability is required in addition to sensation, range of motion and grip strength. Sensate fasciocutaneous flaps bear disadvantages of tissue mobility, shifting and bulkiness. Published criteria for defect-related flap selection are sparse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Defect analysis (anatomy, units of tactile gnosis, individual parameters) provides information to weigh needs for sensation or tissue stability, influencing selection of most appropriate procedures. We distinguished 4 units: hypothenar (H), thenar (T) and central palm (Z). (Z) consists of a central palmar unit (c') and the distal palm (d'). Individual parameters (age, profession, dominant hand, psychosocial aspects) were also considered. Units (T) and (H), regions of secondary touch, demand protective sensation by applying sensate fasciocutaneous flaps. In labourers tactile gnosis in (Z) is of less, tissue stability of greater value. An extensive palmar defect (9×13 cm, affecting unit (Z), partially affecting units (T) and (H), of the dominant hand) with combined vessel, nerve, tendon injuries (male labourer, 21 years) was covered after defect analysis with a free gracilis muscle flap and a glabrous intermediate (0.5 mm) thickness skin graft from the instep region. RESULTS: 29 months postoperatively anatomic conditions of palmar soft tissue (Vancouver scar scale: 1), high mechanical soft-tissue stability including normal hand function were evident. Semmes Weinstein testing showed positive pressure sensation. Professional reintegration after 5 months was possible. CONCLUSION: Defect coverage of the palm must not consist of merely providing sensate vascularised tissue. The most appropriate procedure can be derived from careful defect analysis focusing on the affection of units of tactile gnosis to achieve near to anatomic reconstruction. In labourers, patient- and defect-related demands need close correlation with the value of the selected flaps regarding the sensation and mechanical stability to be expected. In selected cases (mechanical irritation, affection of unit (Z), younger age) by combining microvascular muscle flaps with plantar intermediate thickness skin grafts promising functional results with early professional reintegration can be achieved by reconstructing like with like.

[Report of the consensus workshop on microsurgical training at the 32nd annual meeting of the german-speaking group for microsurgery of the peripheral nerves and vessels in Basel 2010]. / Bericht zum Workshop und Consensusmeeting zur Mikrochirurgischen Ausbildung an der 32ten Jahrestagung der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Mikrochirurgie der peripheren Nerven und Gefäße (DAM) 2010 in Basel.

After the foundation of a trinational task force to develop quality criteria for a training and educational system in microsurgery at the annual conference of the German-speaking group for microsurgery of the nerves and vessels (DAM) in Erlangen 2009, at the 2010 conference in Basel, a modular educational system was approved and criteria for a basic course were discussed. Before the next annual conference in 2011 these aspects should be clarified and defined in a spring meet-ing.

A rounded dissector to reduce complications in the minimally invasive repair (Nuss) of pectus excavatum in adolescents and adults.

Occasionally during the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum(MIRPE), the conventional flat dissector is not rigid enough to elevate the anterior thoracic wall for bar implantation and its sharp edges may cause vessel or other tissue damage. Asa result of experiencing such complications in four cases, a new highly rigid dissector with a round cross-section was developed and its advantages are presented in a consecutive series of 21 cases.

[Combined latissimus dorsi-thoracodorsal artery perforator-transpositional free flap]. / Kombinierter Latissimus-dorsi- und A.-thoracodorsalis-Perforatortranspositionslappen.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction or complete cover of extended but polygonal defects is limited by the size of transplantable tissue. One of the largest composite tissue components to be transplanted is the myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap. Under certain circumstances even this large-scale flap is not sufficient for complete defect cover. Based on experiences with the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) flap, the skin island adjacent to the latissimus muscle may be raised, pedicled on the perforator vessels penetrating the underlying muscle. Thus this island may easily be transposed or rotated to enable additional defect cover. METHODS: This method was applied in eight patients for defect cover at the extremities, thorax or for hypopharynx reconstruction. The exact location of perforator vessels may be determined pre- or intraoperatively with a hand Doppler so that skin flap transposition can already be planned before surgery. RESULTS: All of the skin flaps transposed or rotated healed without complications. It may even be assumed that utilizing this method helped to avoid further complications like scar contractures, because tension-free wound closure was feasible. CONCLUSIONS: The combined latissimus dorsi- thoracodorsal artery perforator-transpositional free flap is capable of covering very extensive polygonal as well as defects over joints in order to prevent scar contractions.

Evaluation outcome of replanted digits using the DASH score: review of 38 patients.

The ultimate usefulness of replanted fingers is related to the adequacy of nerve, tendon and bone repair. Thirty-eight patients with successful replantation of the thumb, a single finger or after multiple digital amputations were followed up clinically. The subjective disability after finger replantation was evaluated by means of the DASH score, and the presence of cold intolerance was assessed. The subjective outcome of the achieved replantation reached an overall DASH score of 12.3. Patients after thumb replantation reached a score of 10.0, after a single finger replantation DASH 11.2 and after multiple finger amputations and replantation of at least one finger, DASH 16.1. Cold intolerance was subjectively found in 86.7% of all hands with replanted fingers without a correlation to the patients DASH scores. The patient's evaluation of their limb function after replanted digits by means of the DASH score, when combined with an objective external assessment, represents a valuable comparative tool.

[Emergency free microvascular flap transfer for repair of a pharyngeal defect manifesting as carotid artery erosion hemorrhage]. / Notfallmässiger freier mikrovaskulärer Lappentransfer zum Verschluss eines Pharynxdefektes nach akuter Arrosionsblutung der A. carotis.

We report on a case of an emergency free flap cover of a pharyngeal defect which was made necessary by aggressive digestive salivatory and radiation effects 3 weeks after neck-dissection and laser ablation of an epidermoid left tonsil carcinoma. Life threatening intraoral bleeding resulted from the erosion of branches of the external carotid artery. After management of the bleeding, massive blood transfusions and restoration of the patient's general condition, a sandwich patch cover of the transmural pharyngeal defect was achieved using a microvascular lateral arm flap. This aimed at preventing further digestive effects and bacterial colonisation of the neurovascular structures at the carotid triangle. Unfortunately, due to external mechanical forces, the flap became avascular and thus necrotic at the eighth postoperative day; however, until the successful replacement by a myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap it remained water-tight and fulfilled its sealing task.

Free neurovascular transfer of latisstmus dorsi muscle for the treatment of bladder acontractility: II. Clinical results.

PURPOSE: Until now patients with bladder acontractility were destined to lifelong clean intermittent catheterization with all of its inherent risks. Previous experimental studies demonstrated that voluntary voiding can be restored by microneurovascular free transfer of a carefully selected muscle flap. We present the selection criteria, modifications in technique, followup schedule and long-term results in 20 patients treated with transplantation of latissimus dorsi muscle to the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 20 patients with bladder acontractility requiring intermittent catheterization for at least 2 years we performed latissimus dorsi detrusor myoplasty. Preoperative evaluation included urodynamic assessment, cystoscopy, upper tract imaging and electromyography of the rectus muscle. The procedure involves transfer of a free neurovascular latissimus dorsi muscle flap to the pelvis where it is anastomosed to the lowest motor branches of the intercostal nerve and deep inferior epigastric vessels. Patients were instructed to attempt voluntary voiding 3 months postoperatively. Followup included urodynamic evaluation, biannual Doppler ultrasonography and annual dynamic computerized tomography. RESULTS: Annual dynamic computerized tomography and/or biannual Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated vascularization and contractility of all transplanted muscle flaps. Mean followup is 44 months (range 18 to 74). Of the 20 patients 14 were able to void spontaneously within 4 months postoperatively with post-void residual volumes of less than 100 cc, voluntary voiding was restored by bladder neck incision in 4 and 2 (10%) still require self-catheterization. Postoperative detrusor pressures ranged from 5 to 218 cm. H2O (mean 72, median 55). None of the patients had morphological and functional changes of the upper tract, or de novo incontinence postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Functioning free muscle transplantation was able to restore voluntary voiding in patients who had previously been dependent on long-term catheterization. Voluntary voiding has been maintained several years postoperatively without deterioration of upper tract function.

[Technical refinements in planning and surgical therapy of pectus carinatum]. / Technische Neuerungen in der Planung und Therapie der Kielbrust-Deformität. Volume-rendering-CT und resorbierbare Osteosynthesematerialien.

From 1998 to 2002 ten patients underwent surgical correction of pectus carinatum using a new diagnostic preoperative three-dimensional volume rendering mode computed tomography. Particularly the deformed rib cartilages can now also be visualized, which allows exact preoperative planning of the extent of cartilage resection and localization of required sternum osteotomies. This additional information results in a focused surgical approach and hence minimizes scars. As an additional innovation, resorbable plates and screws were used for refixation of the osteotomized parts of the sternum. For postoperative thorax immobilization and hypertrophic scar circumvention, a special keel chest brace was applied in all patients for 6-8 weeks. No complications occurred in any case, and all patients were very content with the aesthetic results achieved.

[The thoracodorsal artery perforator flap]. / Der A. thoracodorsalis-Perforator-Lappen.

This report presents our experience with the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. Its use and pitfalls are critically highlighted, especially the application of this flap as an island flap. Only few publications on this recently described flap are available, possibly because of the high level of skill needed in its preparation. In our hospital, this flap was twice used as an island flap, both of which failed, and ten times as a free flap one of which was a failure. Harvesting of this flap is a delicate procedure involving transmuscular vessel preparation, additionally transposition as an island flap is limited in range. Based on our limited experience, we can recommend use of this flap only in carefully selected cases. This procedure has to be performed by experienced microsurgeons, after training on cadavers, and after preoperative color Doppler imaging for determining the precise location of the main perforators. Only in cases, where a long vascular pedicle for an appropriate free tissue transfer is necessary, and where aesthetic appearance as well as minimizing donor-site morbidity are more important than a potentially higher failure rate, utilizing this perforator flap is justified.

Thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) flap: report of our experience and review of the literature.

We report our experience with the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. Its use and pitfalls are critically highlighted, especially in terms of its application as an island flap. Publications on this recently described flap are scarce, possibly because it is rarely used as a result of the high level of skill needed in its preparation. In our hospital, we have used this flap twice as an island flap, both of which failed, and ten times as a free flap, one of which failed. Transfer as a free flap is a delicate procedure involving transmuscular vessel preparation; transposition as an island flap is limited by range. Based on our limited experience, we recommend this flap only in very selected cases. This procedure has to be performed by experienced microsurgeons, after training on cadavers, and after preoperative colour Doppler imaging to determine the precise location of the main perforators. Use of this perforator flap is indicated in cases where a long vascular pedicle for an appropriate free tissue transfer is necessary, and where aesthetic appearance and minimising donor-site morbidity are more important than a potentially high risk of failure.

Maxillofacial trauma due to work-related accidents.

Even though numerous reports on maxillofacial trauma exist, only a few give detailed information about work-related maxillofacial injuries. The purpose of this study was to reveal the significance of maxillofacial injuries related to accidents occurring at work by evaluating a large number of patients with maxillofacial injuries over a 9-year period. Out of the 8704 trauma patients treated between 1991 and 1999 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, 463 (5.4%) were injured at work. All charts were reviewed and analyzed according to age, gender, cause of accident, occupation, type of injury, location and frequency of fractures. The highest incidence of maxillofacial injury was found among construction workers (a total of 124 patients, 26.8%), followed by craftsmen (102 patients, 22.0%) and office employees (69 patients, 14.9%). The sex distribution showed an overall male-to-female ratio of 11.8:1 and those in the age group most affected were between 20 and 29 years of age. The most frequent cause of injury was a blow in 48.4%, followed by falls and falls over obstacles, accounting for 27.9% and 7.1%, respectively. Of all trauma, 45.4% (210 persons) sustained 423 maxillofacial fractures, 31.7% (147 patients) suffered 232 dento-alveolar injuries, and 21.2% (98 people) showed 430 soft-tissue injuries. One-fifth (20.7%) of all patients displayed concomitant injuries with cerebral and cranial trauma being the most common. The probability of sustaining maxillofacial trauma at work is correlated to the nature of the occupation. Individuals (mostly men) using tools or machines at work are exposed to a much higher risk of work-related maxillofacial trauma.

[Viability monitor of free flaps in hypopharynx reconstruction]. / Durchblutungsmonitor von freien vaskularisierten Lappen am Beispiel der Hypopharynxrekonstruktion.

Single-stage microvascular reconstruction of neck defects with jejunum or other free flaps are well established methods. However, these flaps usually are buried subcutaneously and viability surveillance is difficult. Alternatively to technical monitoring devices, we present a simple method using a "sentinel" part of the free jejunum flap transposed outside to the skin surface or sutured into the skin when using fasciocutaneous or myocutaneous flaps. Although this method is not new, it is rarely used. Compared to pure technical monitoring devices, it is easily performed and monitoring of buried free flaps especially in the neck region is reliable.

Surgical technique and clinical application of the transverse gracilismyocutaneous free flap.

The unreliability of the distal skin component of the gracilis myocutaneous free flap has been frequently reported. To improve the reliability of the skin we orientated the cutaneous paddle in a transverse direction in the proximal third of the gracilis muscle, as first described by Yousif et al in 1993. Their anatomical studies showed that cutaneous branches of the dominant proximal pedicle have a pronounced tendency to travel in a transverse direction, supplying the skin anteriorly over the adductor longus and sartorius muscles and extending beyond the posterior margin of the gracilis muscle. We adopted this transverse design and transferred myocutaneous gracilis flaps measuring up to 17 x 9 cm. The transverse gracilis myocutaneous flap was dissected in the subfascial plane to include the peri-gracilis fascia, which preserved the fascial vascular network and thus optimised skin-paddle perfusion. Ten transverse gracilis myocutaneous free flaps were performed over 3 years. Skin paddles ranged in size from 10 x 7 cm (70 cm(2)) to 17 x 9 cm (153 cm(2)) with a mean of 113.4 cm(2). Five defects were located in the head and neck region, three in the lower leg, one in the thigh and one in the thorax. Patients were followed for an average of 16.6 months (range: 6--46 months). Minor complications (donor-site wound dehiscence and flap-wound-edge separation) occurred in four patients;however, all 10 flaps survived and healed with complete cutaneous survival.

The lateral arm flap.

The authors contend that the conventional flap (LAF) and the ELAF should be considered among the best choices of all possible fasciocutaneous flaps for head and neck reconstruction. Easy and quick dissection under tourniquet, design variability, and potential sensory innervation make these flaps superior to other fasciocutaneous flaps. The ELAF provides the same pliable, thin fasciocutaneous tissue and a longer pedicle than the RFF. In contrast to the RFF, the donor site can be closed primarily and heals with an acceptable scar without any functional deficit. The authors therefore strongly recommend clinical application of these flaps in head and neck reconstruction.

Fetal spinal-cord allograft as a substitute for peripheral-nerve reconstruction: a preliminary experimental and histologic study.

The aim of this preliminary experimental study consisted of an exploration of the suitability of fetal spinal-cord allograft as an alternative guiding conduit for bridging peripheral-nerve defects, since fetal tissue is considered to be less immunogenic than tissue from adults or maturely born individuals. The experiment was carried out with 10 Long Evans inbred rats. Within the control group, autologous sural-nerve grafts served to bridge an artificially created defect of 1.5 cm along the course of the sciatic nerve in the thigh of adult male rats. On the contralateral thigh, a defect of the same size was bridged by spinal cord, taken from 17- to 20-day old fetuses. Ten weeks thereafter, the reconstructed nerves were examined histologically. Compared to the autologous nerve grafts with optimal regeneration, the spinal-cord grafts showed less ingrowth of axons. But, surprisingly, an exceptionally long survival time of astrocytes and other nerve cells resulted while, at the graft margin, bundles of astrocytes apparently served as a conduit for ingrowing axons. Using fetal spinal-cord allograft to reconstruct peripheral-nerve defects may present a future alternative for coexisting methods, but further studies with longer follow-ups, a greater number of larger animals, and with the additional evaluation of immunologic interactions, should be attempted, to draw clear conclusions.

[A new classification for standardizing nomenclature in wound closure by microvascular flap-plasty]. / Eine neue Klassifizierung für die Standardisierung der Nomenklatur beim Wundverschluss durch mikrovaskuläre Lappenplastiken.

The profusion of terms currently used to describe microvascular flap wound closure according to the time of reconstruction makes reliable comparisons of outcomes between institutions difficult if not impossible. To address the issue, a consistent terminology applicable to microvascular flap wound closure in general was formulated with respect to our experience with a total of 197 microvascular tissue transplantations. The nomenclature presented divides microvascular flap closure into three categories: "primary microvascular flap closure" (within 24 hours). "delayed primary microvascular flap closure" (two to seven days), and "secondary microvascular flap closure" (after seven days). This is consistent with known biological, microbiological, and surgical principles of wound closure in general and should provide a simple basis for classifying microvascular flap wound closure. Sample cases are selected to illustrate the categories within this new classification scheme.