Application of posterior tibial artery perforator flap with great saphenous vein in treatment of forearm degloving injury and reconstruction of venous circulation of dorsal hand / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the clinical application of the posterior tibial artery perforator flap with the great saphenous vein (GSV) in the treatment of severe degloving injury of the forearm.Methods:From June 2015 to October 2020, 5 patinets (4 males and 1 female, aged 20-46 years old, mean age 37 years old) were treated in the Department of Hand Surgery of Yantaishan Hospital in Yantai. Aposterior tibial artery perforator flap with GSV was used to repair the partial wound of the injured forearm, together with the establishment of venous circulation of dorsal hand for all 5 patients. All the patients suffered from severe forearm degloving injury. Of which, 3 accompanied with ulna radius fracture, 2 with ulnar and radial artery injury and 2 with blood supply insufficiency in the injured fingers. The sizes of soft-tissue defect were 26 cm×18 cm-32 cm×25 cm. The sizes of the posterior tibial artery perforator flap with GSV ranged from 12 cm×5 cm to 33 cm×6 cm. The anastomoses were performed on the perforating artery and the radial artery. The GSV was anastomosed with cephalic vein with bridging anastomosis to re-establish the venous circulation of dorsal hand. Combined anterolateral thigh flaps (ALTF) were used to repair the rest wound of injured limbs in 4 patients, and the combined pedicled abdominal flap was used in 1 patient. The donor site of calf flap was sutured directly, and the skin of upper limb was thinned into medium thick to cover the thigh flap donor site, which was packed with pressure dressing. Regular follow-up reviews were carried out by outpatient clinic, telephone, WeChat APP or home-visit after the operation to observe the survival of flaps, the swelling of the distal end of injured limb, functional recovery and healing at the donor site. Functional recovery was evaluated according to the Evaluation Standard of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association.Results:All the grafted flaps in 5 patients survived. Necrosis at epidermal edge occurred in 1 calf flap, and achieved secondary healing after dress changing for 4 weeks. There was neither arterial nor venous crisis in all flaps. The oedema of the hand disappeared within 4-8 weeks, with clear dermatoglyph. There was no obvious enlarged circumference of thumb and fingers. The follow-up was carried out for 8-20 months, with 11 months in average. The flaps were elastic in good colour, and full texture without pigmentation. The donor site of the calf flap showed a linear scar. No swollen was seen in the hands of the injured forearm and the feet of donor lower legs. The range of motion of phalangeal joints was good. Recovery of finger sensation achieved at S 4. The recovery of the sensation of posterior tibial artery perforator flap reached S 3 in 2 patients and S 2 in 3 patients. Assessment of the Upper Limb Function using the Standard Issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association rated excellent in 3 patients and good in 2 patients. Conclusion:The posterior tibial artery perforator flap with GSV has a reliable blood supply with a small damage to the donor site. This flap is ideal for repair of severe degloving injury of forearm and meanwhile to achieve the re-establishment of venous circulation in dorsal hand.