Masquelet technique combined with skin graft in treatment of chronic refractory wounds in elderly patients / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To introduce a surgical method and clinical effect of using Masquelet technique combined with skin graft to cover chronic refractory wounds in elderly patients.Methods:From September 2020 to September 2022, 20 elderly patients with wounds of bone or tendon exposure in lower limbs were treated in the Department of Wound Repair, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Due to the age and poor general condition of the patients, flap transfer for wound coverage were not allowed. Masquelet technique was therefore applied in the treatment of chronic wounds of such patients. Sizes of wounds were found at 4.5 cm×3.0 cm to 15.0 cm×6.0 cm and all accompanied with tendon and bone exposure, after thorough debridement. Wounds were then sealed with antibiotic bone cement several times. After having induced formation of membrane in wounds, free mesh skin graft was used to cover the refractory wounds. The patients were entered in follow up regularly after surgery at outpatient service, and telephone or video reviews. The wound healing of patients and whether there were related complications in the skin donor area were observed. The number of operation times in the first stage was 1-4 with an average of 1.3 times ± 0.7 times. Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS) was used to evaluate the recovery of lower limb function.Results:All 20 wounds healed well. The follow-up time was 3-12 months, with an average of 7.6 months. The appearance and texture of the skin in the wounds area were satisfactory. The mean LEFS was 69.83 point ± 10.82 point.Conclusion:Using Masquelet technique combined with free skin grafting to treat refractory wounds in the elderly patients can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes. It is a simple and reliable supplement to the wound repair, and can reduce the surgical risk.

Novel application and evaluation of superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:Verstaile free superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap(SCIAPF) were adopted for various reconstructive scenarios, and its clinical effect and value was evaluated.Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed on 42 patients with tissue defects admitted in the Department of Orthopeadic of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2015 to May 2019. Nine patients had injury in the foot, 8 in ankle, 8 in calf, 7 in forearm, 9 in hand, and 1 in the mouth. All of the defects were repaired by SCIAPF, including 28 single soft tissue defect wounds, 8 multiple soft tissue defect, and 6 composite defects. The size of soft tissue defect were 1.2 cm×1.8 cm-14.0 cm×20.8 cm. The size of flaps were 1.5 cm×2.0 cm-15.3 cm×22.3 cm. The patients entered follow up by outpatient clinic visit and telephone reviews to observe the survival of the flaps, functional recovery and complications.Results:In this series, there were 28 flaps, including 18 pedicled with superficia branch of superficial circumflex iliac artery, 2 pedicled with deep branch of superficial circumflex iliac artery, and 8 pedicled with 2 branches. Six were chimeric flaps. Among them, 4 flaps were iliac bone flaps with superficial branch of superficial circumflex iliac artery flaps, and 2 were superficial iliac circumflex artery flap with sartorius muscle flap. Eight cases were resurfaced with lobulated SCIAPF. Arterial anastomoses: end-to-side in 35 arteries and end-to-end in 7 arteries. Venous anastomosis: end-to-end in 27 veins and end-to-side in 15 veins. Venous return through superficial iliac circumflex vein in 25 flaps, through venae comitantes in 12 flaps and through both in 5 flaps. All flap donor sites were sutured directly. All flaps survived uneventfully except for one that compromised with end-to-side anastomotic dehiscence and bleeding, and survived after re-anastomosis. All flaps and donor sites healed primarily. During the follow-up of 6-24(mean, 11.5) months, the pliable flaps were ruddy in colour and soft in texture, without obvious bloatness and pigmentation. The donor site healed well with linear scars in 35 cases and mild scar hyperplasia in 7 cases. The donor hip function were normal. Three patients suffered a numbness of the thigh caused by intraoperative injury lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and it disappeared completely after 3 months.Conclusion:New applications of lobulated or chimeric SCIAPF, based on the SCIA vasculature or its branches, can meet most of the clinical repair requirement.

The lateral nail fold plasty in duplicated thumbs with a common nail / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#In this study, a new surgical technique was developed to reconstruct the lateral nail fold in the duplicated thumbs with a common nail and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.@*Methods@#From December 2012 to October 2015, sixteen duplicated thumbs with a common nail were treated in our hospital using a flap from resected finger pulp which did not include the nail and phalanx. Unilateral inverting suture was performed between the flap and nail bed to reconstruct the lateral nail fold and nail groove. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated by Wang-Gao scoring system (total 12).@*Results@#The follow-up period ranged from 10 to 45 months. The reconstructed nails were smooth and had a natural lunula, and the nail width was about 80%-100% of their normal sides. There was a right angle between the nail epithelium and lateral nail fold in four cases, and an acute angle in two cases. The reconstructed nails were asymmetrical in these thumbs. One patient showed a hypertrophy in the lateral nail fold. The reconstructed nails were evaluated by Wang-Gao scoring system: 10 in 2 cases, 11 in 4 and 12 in 10. All the cases had excellent results.@*Conclusions@#The nail width usually is more than 80% of the normal sides in the radial polydactyly with a common nail. The surgical technique can reconstruct a natural lateral nail fold and nail groove, and avoid the nail deformity caused by the Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure.

Treatment of open metacarpal fractures with supercutaneous locking plate / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To evaluate the supercutaneous fixation with locking plate for treatment of open metacarpal fractures.Methods From March 2015 to November 2016,16 open metacarpal fractures were treated with supercutaneous locking plate after emergency debridement at Department of Hand Surgery,The Second Affiliated Hospital to Wenzhou Medical University.They were 11 men and 5 women,from 20 to 67 years of age (average,37.5 years).There were 2 cases of the 1st metacarpal fracture,6 ones of the 2ed metacarpal fracture,one of the 3rd metacarpal fracture,2 ones of the 4th metacarpal fracture and 5 ones of the 5th metacarpal fracture.All fractures were open injury.By the Gustilo-Anderson classification,there were 9 cases of type Ⅱ and 7 ones of type Ⅲ A.Functional rehabilitation was encouraged immediately after operation.The outcomes were evaluated at the 4th and 24th weeks postoperatively according to the Total Angle of Motion (TAM) for digital joints recommended by the Hand Surgery Society,Chinese Medical Association.Results The mean operation time was 46.8 minutes (from 35 to 108 minutes).All cases were followed up for an average of 9.8 months (from 7 to 25 months).All fractures healed without breakage or loosening of the supercutaneous locking plate after an average of 6.2 weeks(from 4.3 to 7.8 weeks).Nail tract infection occurred in 3 cases.According to the TAM at the 4th week postoperatively,5 cases were rated as excellent,8 as good,2 as fair and one as poor;according to the TAM at the 24th week postoperatively,11 cases were rated as excellent,4 as good and one as fair.Conclusion For open metacarpal fractures with severe contamination or soft tissue injury,supercutaneous locking plate fixation can achieve fine clinical outcomes.

Repairation of composite distal soft tissue defect of thumb and finger with mini toenail flap / 中华显微外科杂志

To introduce the repairation procedure of composite distal soft tissue defect of thumb and finger with mini toenail flap. Methods From June, 2015 to June, 2018, 7 cases with composite tissue defect at 7 distal fingers, including 5 thumbs, 1 index finger and 1 middle finger, were reconstructed with mini toenail flap transfer.The flap sizes which were raised during the operation ranged from 4.5 cm×3.0 cm-3.0 cm×1.5 cm.The donor sites were covered by toe phalanx shortening, V-Y advancement flap and local pedicle flap. Microsurgical routine treatment was made after the operation, and followed-up regularly. Results Seven flaps of 7 cases completely sur-vived without any necrosis. All the wounds at the donor sites healed well. All patients were followed-up for 6-36 months. The motive, sensor and cosmetic result were satisfied. In sensory function, the two-point discrimination dis-tance could restore to be 4-6 mm. Conclusion The mini toenail flap transfer is a reliable and suggested method.It can anatomically restored the distal digit sensor function with cosmetic contour, and regain the motive, sensory func-tion and satisfied cosmetic appearance.

Recent progress in research of congenital polydactyly / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Surgery is still the main treatment for congenital polydactyly, and the aim of surgical reconstruction is to obtain a thumb with excellent function and appearance. A systematic assessment of polydactyly is required prior to surgery, including bone stress lines, joint deviation, joint activity and joint instability, size and development of finger and nail. Bone shape, joint incongruency, and abnormal tendon insertions must be corrected completely, in order to obtain good function and to avoide secondary surgery. Bilhault-Cloquet procedure can reconstruct the size of the finger and nails. Fine manipulation can improve the postoperative nail deformity, so that the reconstructed nail reaches a satisfactory aesthetic score.

Treatment of the defect on fibular hallux flap donor site with the tibial island flap of second toe / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To discuss the therapeutic effect of using tibial island flap of second toe for the treatment of fibular hallux flap donor site defect.@*Methods@#From March 2012 to April 2015, 18 tibial island flaps of second toe were transferred to repair donor site defect on fibular hallux that can not sutured directly, and the subsequent donor site wound on the second toe were sutured.@*Results@#On an average of 13 months follow-up, all 18 flaps survived with primary healing. Texture and appearance of the tibial island flaps were satisfactory; The flaps had good sensory recovery, S3+ in 14 patients and S4 in 4 patients. Severe contracture of the first toe web were not observed. The donor site of second toe got good recovery with normal activity of interphalangeal joint.@*Conclusions@#The tibial island flap of second toe is a good option for treatment of the defect on fibular hallux flap donor site. Meanwhile, it also meets the requirement of " donor site care" .

Reading man flap for repair of soft tissue defects in distal fingers / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To explore the Reading man flap for the treatment of soft tissue defects in distal fin-gers. Methods From May, 2014 to June, 2017, Reading man flaps were transferred in the emergency room to repair soft tissue defects in distal fingers in 46 patients. There were 28 cases of finger pulp defects, 6 cases of dorsal defects and 12 cases of finger stump defects with the size of soft tissue defects ranged from 1.0 cm×0.9 cm to 2.2 cm×2.0 cm (average, 1.2 cm×1.3 cm).The volar, dorsal and hybrid flaps were 28, 6 and 12 cases respectively.The average size of the major flap and minor flap were 1.8 cm×1.2 cm and 1.4 cm×0.8 cm, respectively. All donor sites were sutured di-rectly.All patients were followed-up by review in the outpatient department. Results The consumed operative time was 35-48 min, with an average of 37.8 min. Prophylactic antibiotics and wound dressing were conducted postopera-tively. The tip of the minor flaps occurred inflammation and small blister in 2 cases and eased by removal of the tip sutures.Traumatic neuralgia occurred in 1 case and self-healed after 3 months.Twenty-six cases were followed-up at least 11 months, which were 16 cases of finger pulp defects, 3 of dorsal defects and 7 of finger stump defects. On an average of 10.5 (9-27) months followed-up, all flaps survived. Except 4 cases with slim hook nail deformity, the re-maining flaps were observed with satisfactory texture and appearance, the bulky deformity and scar contracture did not occur.Two points distinguishment on the major and minor flaps were 3.3-6.2 (average, 4.5)mm and 5.5-9.8(average, 7.1)mm respectively. According to the Trial Standard for Evaluation of Upper Limb Function of Chinese Society of Hand Surgery, it was excellent in 28 cases, good in 11 cases and moderate in 7 cases, with the overall excellent and good rate of 84.8%. Conclusion The Reading man flap is a good option for treatment of the small size soft tissu de-fect in distal fingers with the advantages of simple procedure, high success rate, good appearance and sensory recovery.

Effects of surgical delay procedure on the survival of perforator flap with three angiosomes in rat and lits mechanism / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of surgical delay procedure on the survival of perforator flap with three angiosomes in rat, and to explore its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The flap model was a perforator flap with three angiosomes which located on the right dorsal side of a rat based on the right deep circumflex iliac vessel. The two connection areas between the three angiosomes were successively named choke zone (CZ) 1 and CZ 2 beginning from the pedicle to the remote area. A total of 110 SD rats were divided into routine flap group (RF, n = 40), delay only group (DO, n = 30), and delay flap group (DF, n =40) according to the random number table. (1) In group RF, 30 rats were selected according to the random number table, and flap surgery was performed directly. Six rats were sacrificed on post operation day (POD) 0, 1, 2, 3, 7 respectively to collect the full-thickness skin samples at both CZs for HE staining to measure the vascular density and diameter. The rest 10 rats underwent flap surgery immediately after a catheter was successfully implanted into their external jugular vein. A volume of 1.5 mL sodium fluorescein solution (100 g/L) was injected to the 10 rats on POD 0 (5 rats) or POD 1 (5 rats) each time with a 2-day interval to learn the change in flap circulation. Each rat was injected for 4 times. The flap survival rate of the 10 rats was calculated on POD 7, and the configuration and distribution of the vessels in the flap were observed through angiography with the improved perfusion method of lead oxide-gelatin. (2) In group DO, the right thoracodorsal perforators of all the rats were surgically ligated through a small skin incision, and 6 rats were sacrificed on POD 0, 1, 2, 3, 7 respectively. The skin samples of each rat at the same area as in group RF were harvested to measure the vascular density and diameter. (3) In group DF, rats were treated with ligation surgery as in group DO, and then they were assigned and treated as in group RF on POD 7 with corresponding indexes detected later. Data were processed with group t test, analysis of variance with factorial design, and SNK test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Significant differences of vascular density at both CZ 1 and CZ 2 were found on POD 7 among the three groups ( with F values respectively 2. 69 and 2. 76, P values below 0.05). The vascular density values of CZ 1 and CZ 2 of rats in group DF were (29 ± 7) and (31 ± 8) per mm on POD 7, which were significantly higher than those of group RF [(23 ± 5) and (23 ± 3) per mm2, with q values respectively 5.67 and 6.01, P values below 0.05] and those within group DF on POD 0 (with q values respectively 6.42 and 7. 14, P values below 0. 05). On POD 3 and 7, the vascular diameter values of CZ 1 of rats in groups RF and DF were significantly higher than those of group DO (with q values from 8. 15 to 11.13, P values below 0.05). The vascular diameter values of CZ 2 of rats in group DF onPOD 0, 1, 2, 3,7 [(65 ± 8), (63 ± 13), (69 ± 9), (67 ± 8), (64 ± 13) 230m] and in group DO on POD 3 and 7 were significantly higher than those in group RF [respectively (46 ± 10) , (40 ± 9), (43 ± 13), (46 ± 12), (47 ± 11) µm on POD 0, 1,2, 3, 7 ] at corresponding time point (withqval- ues from 7.29 to 10.79, P values below 0.05). The difference in vascular diameter between CZ 1 and CZ 2 was statistically significant in groups RF and DO on POD 3 and 7, and in group DF on POD 0, 1 , and 2 (with q values from 5.32 to 9.56, P values below 0.05). Compared with that on POD 0 within each group, the vascular diameter of CZ 1 in groups RF and DF and that of CZ 2 in group DO increased significantly on POD 3 or 7 (with q values from 6.12 to 8.13, P values below 0.05). (2) In groups DF and RF, blood from the pedicle ran through CZ 1 and covered the dynamic territory successfully within POD 7. On POD 0, the blood within all flaps was blocked for about 3 min after going through CZ 1 at 1 cm distal from CZ 2 in group DF and around CZ 2 in group RF. (3) Flap survival rate of rats in group DF was (95 ± 12) % , which was statistically higher than that of group RF [(80 241 9) % , t = 2.91, P <0.01]. All the partial flap necrosis occurred in potential territory. (4) Compared with the vessels in the left dorsal side without surgery, the vessels of CZ 1 in group RF were dilated obviously, and the boundary between vascular trees became indistinct, but the vessels in CZ 2 changed slightly; the vessels in both CZs in group DF were dilated dramatically.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The delay method could enhance the survival of potential territory in perforator flap with three angiosomes, and it acted mainly by dilating the choke vessels in CZ 2 before flap surgery.</p>

A perforator-based dorsal flap's experimental research in the rat / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a new experimental animal model of different a single perforating vessel as its pedicle, and to investigate this vessel can captures how many adjacent angiosomes in different directions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six Sprague-Dawly rats of both sexes were used. The rats were divided into group A, group B and group C. Group A: the unilateral deep circumflex iliac perforator artery- based flap. Group B: the unilateral posterior intercostal perforator artery-based flap. Group C: the unilateral lateral thoracic perforator artery-based flap. An extended dorsal perforator flap measuring up to 13 cm x 6 cm was designed in 36 rats to assess the viability of the flap. The upper margin was located at the level of the tip of the scapula and the lower margin at a level 1 cm below the iliac crest. All flaps were observed for 7 days postoperatively, 72 hours after flap elevation, observe flap dyeing conditions through the vivo fluorescein injection, the surviving flap area was calculated as a percentage of total flap dimensions and the angiosome's structure of the flap was displayed by radiopaque microangiography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No fluorescence was visible in the distal flap of groups A and C, the whole flap show bright fluorescence in group B. Survival rate of C, A, B were improved in order. Statistic difference is significant (P < 0.01) between group and group. In group A, lead oxide-gelatin angiography shows the cephalic flap necrosis occurred in the bilateral lateral thoracic territories, and the vascular architecture partly disappeared in the necrotic area. In group B, the vascular architecture of flap is unbroken. In group C, the caudal flap necrosis occurred in the bilateral deep circumflex iliac perforator artery territories, and the vascular architecture partly disappeared and disordered in the necrotic area.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The perforator flap is based centrally on a single perforator, this vessel can capture multiple the second vascular territory. In a direction, the longest distance that the blood supply can reach is the point of the third perforator vessel puncture into skin, which can provide certain theoretical guidance for designing of perforator flap.</p>

The outcome of anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve in treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with endoscopically assisted / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the outcome between endoscopically assisted and routine anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.Methods From Februray 2008 to June 2010, forty-four patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with routine anterior subcutaneous transposition (routine group,28 cases) and endoscopically assisted anterior subcutaneous transposition (endoscope group,16 cases).The operate time,drug administration,scar and postoperative hospital stay were compared.The patients were followed 1-12 month postoperatively,postoperative time back to work and function of ulner nerve were recorded.Results The results of endoscope group were as follows: operative time was (67.20 ± 19.69)min; postoperative scar length was (1.5％ ± 0.58) cm; rate of administration of anodyne was 6.3％; postoperative hospital stay was (2.4％ ± 1.42) days; postoperative time back to work,(14.6 ± 4.69)days; the results of open surgery group were as follows:operative time (62.8％ ± 11.06) min; postoperative scar length was (8.7％ ± 1.42) cm; rate of administration of anodyne was 42.8％; postoperative hospital stay was (5.7％ ± 2.53) days; postoperative time back to work was (29.40 ± 8.75) days; all differences of the results were significant between two groups (P ＜ 0.05).According to function of ulner nerve scoring system,one year postoperatively, excellent or good results were 82.14％ in routine group and 81.25％ in endoscope group,no significant difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion Compared with routine anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve,endoscopically assisted anterior transposition has the following advantages: smaller incision and less tissue damage,less postoperative pain and sooner returning to work.And similar outcome was achieved from the two group.

Damage control of severe limb(finger) with multiple injuries / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To explore the strategy of damage control in clinic treatment of severe limb (finger) with multiple injuries.Methods Severe multiple injuries patients with ISS evaluation more than 16 points were chosen for this study.Simple replatations of severed limb(finger) were perfored in 40 patients while their multiple injuries were actively treated.Results Among the 40 cases, all cases survived.1-3 years follow-up showed that the results were excellet in 8, good in 21, middle in 7, and poor in 4, with an excellent or good rate of 72.5 percent.Conclusion Multiple specialties cooperation, early treatment of multiple injuries and experienced microsurgery operation are the keys to improve success rate of replantation of severed limb(linger) with multiple injuries.

The sensory function after repair of the sole defects / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To study the methods of repairing the sole defects and reconstruction of the sensory function. Methods Twenty- nine cases of sole defect were repaired with flaps and full- thickness grafting according to the weight- bearing area and non- weight- bearing area. Sixteen cases had reconstruction of the sensory nerves. Results Twenty- nine cases were followed up for 1－ 9 years. One case failed. One case required thinning the flap. Twenty- eight cases have gained normal weight bearing ambulation. Ulcer occurred in one case, giving an ulcer rate of 3.4％ . The sensation have recovered to S2－ S3 in 16 cases repaired with reconstruction of cutaneous sensory nerves. Thirteen cases repaired with non- innervated flaps and full- thickness grafting showed deep pain sensation, and over the 1－ 2 cm area coverage around the flaps there was light touch sensation. No significant difference was found in the ulcer rate between reinnervated and non- innervated flaps. Conclusion Defects of the weight- bearing area in sole must be repaired with flaps. The medial foot island flap, medial pedal island flap, toe arterial flap and anterolateral thigh flap are the appropriate options. Defects of the non- weight- bearing area could be repaired with full- thickness grafting. The transplantation of non- sensory skin flaps can re- establish the sensory function, so the reconstruction of sensory nerve is of minor importance.

Clinical application of endoscopic harvesting the sural nerve in the carbon dioxide gas cavity / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To introduce the clinical application and method of endoscopic harvesting the sural nerve in the carbon dioxide gas cavity. Methods 7 cases with peripheral nerve defect were involved, including 5 men and 2 women. The length of nerve defects ranged from 5 to 8 cm, all the nerve defects were repaired by autogenous sural nerve grafting. The sural nerve were removed from 9 calves in 7 cases. Along the course of the sural nerve in the proximal calf, a transverse 1.0 to 1.5 cm incision was done for endoscope approach, another transverse 0.5 to 1.0 cm incision was done lateral to the sural nerve for operation approach. Using abdominoscope system, the sural nerves were cut and removed smoothly in the cavities which were maintained the gas pressure 10 to 15 mm Hg with carbon dioxide insufflation. All the peripheral nerve defects of 7 cases were repaired as cable graft with harvested sural nerve. Results The length of nerve graft harvested from 30 to 42 cm in 9 calves. It took about 30 minutes to harvest the nerve in each side. There was no abvious injuries found by pathologic inspection. No carbonemia and air embolism occurred on patients during operating time, no complications of hypodermic pneumatosis and hematoma occurred on all cases. All patients followed up from 6 to 10 months, the function recovery of the nerves was good. The muscle power was obtained 2 to 4 grade, the sensation was obtained S3 to S4 grade. The function recovered as fast as the traditional operation of sural nerve transfer. Conclusion The method of endoscopic harvesting the sural nerve in the carbon dioxide gas cavity with minimal incision is easy to perform. Compared with the long longitudinal incision and multiple stair-step incision, the method can get less invasive and traumatic, and good aesthetic results. This technique deserves the doctor application in clinical work.