Efficacy of free superficial circumflex iliac artery flap combined with anterolateral thigh flap for repairing large skin defect of the hand / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of free superficial circumflex iliac artery flap combined with anterolateral thigh flap in repairing large skin defect of the hand.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 9 patients with large skin defect of the hand admitted to Ningbo No.6 Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019，including 7 males and 2 females，aged 31-63 years［（45.3±5.6）years］. The area of skin defect reanged from 20 cm×15 cm to 25 cm×20 cm. One side of the superficial circumflex iliac artery flap and the contralateral anterolateral thigh flap were used for repair. Both recipient and donor sites were sutured at the first stage. The ilioinguinal region and thigh donor region were sutured directly. The area of superficial circumflex iliac artery flap was from 19 cm×6 cm to 23 cm ×10 cm and that of anterolateral thigh flap was 19 cm×9 cm to 23 cm×8 cm. The flap survival，healing of donor and recipient area and complications were observed. At 1，6 and 12 months after operation，the function of the flap was evaluated by the late functional evaluation criteria of the flap，hand function by the upper limb functional evaluation criteria of the Chinese Medical Association，and scar condition of the donor site by Vancouver Scar Scale（VVS）. At the last follow-up，the color，elasticity，appearance and scar of the donor site were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 6-18 months［（12.5±2.3）months］. All flaps survived successfully. All patients achieved donor-site healing at the first stage，except that one patient experienced incision dehiscence in the thigh donor site after operation and healed after the second stage suture. The texture and appearance of the flaps were good. The flap in 5 patients was obviously bloated. Therefore，the secondary skin flap repair was selected，and the appearance was significantly improved after operation. Scores for function of the flap and the hand were improved over time（ P<0.05）. At 12 months after operation，the function of the flap was excellent in 3 patients，good in 4 and fair in 2，with the excellent and good rate of 78%；the result of hand function was excellent in 3 patients，good in 3 and fair in 3，with the excellent and good rate of 67%. The VVS score of the donor site decreased from（9.7±1.3）points at postoperative 1 month to（5.7±0.9）points at postoperative 6 months and（3.4±0.8）points at postoperative 12 months（ P<0.05）. At the latest follow-up，the color and elasticity of the flap was similar to that of the surrounding skin tissue，only with slight bloating；the scar of the donor site was small. Conclusions:The free superficial circumflex iliac artery flap combined with anterolateral thigh flap can cover large skin defect of the hand at one time，with good appearance and texture of the flap. The appearance and function of the wounded hand are good after operation，leaving only linear scar in the donor site.