Latissimus Dorsi and DIEP Flaps for Pharyngeal Reconstruction: A Novel Indication.

Aims: Complex pharyngeal defects after tumor resection remain a challenging dilemma for reconstructive plastic surgeons. They often benefit from pedicled or free flaps reconstruction to maintain continuity of the aerodigestive tract and protect the great vessels. While pedicle pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps or supraclavicular flaps have been described, microvascular free flaps have largely replaced the use of pedicle flaps. Materials and methods: We describe our experience with subtotal and total pharyngeal reconstruction utilizing tubed DIEP (n = 2) and latissimus dorsi free flaps (n = 2). All four patients were smokers and received prior radiation. Results: All patients were able to resume a regular diet and did not suffer any recipient or donor site complications. There were no fistula or total flap losses. Conclusion: In our experience, DIEP and latissimus dorsi free flaps can serve as a valid alternative to radial forearm, jejunal and anterolateral thigh flaps for pharyngeal reconstruction.

An Easy and Effective Method for Avoiding Intraoperative Pedicle Vessels Kinking.

Vascular pedicle twisting during a microsurgical anastomosis procedure can jeopardize the viability of the flap. Although the literature describes many maneuvers to prevent vascular pedicle twisting, we present an easy and effective method that can be used when performing microsurgical anastomosis in the operating room.

Free Vacularized Fibula Flap for Septic Bone Defects of the Lower Limb.

Free fibula flap (FFF) is one of the reconstructive techniques to treat bone defects, although in septic conditions there are some limitations that have made it less popular. We present our experience with FFF for the reconstruction of lower limb infectious bone defects. From September 2015 to January 2020, 10 patients underwent reconstruction with FFF without rigid internal fixation of septic bone defects of the lower extremities. Demographic, clinical, and operative data were retrospectively collected. All the flaps survived and consolidated. The only major complication was a stress fracture of a fibula that required osteosynthesis. Median time to consolidation and full weight-bearing was 2.5 and 9.8 months, respectively. Bipedal gating was achieved in all the patients, 7 of them without walking aids. Despite it has some limitations and technical difficulties, in our experience FFF is an effective and reliable option in the reconstruction of septic bone defects of the lower limb.

Vram flap transposition in pelviperineal reconstruction. A technical note.

The vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap is a workhorse flap for perineal reconstruction after pelvic exenteration with low rate of complications. When flap viability is compromised, it is principally due to an incorrect inset or inadequate postoperative care. The aim of this article is to specify the technical details that must be taken into account during VRAM flap transposition inside the pelvis. Flap rotation will be completely different depending on two key factors: the resultant perineal defect after tumor resection and whether the patient is in the supine or prone position during the surgery. We expose an algorithmic approach to have in mind at the moment of the flap inset, step by step, in order not to compromise the vascular pedicle. In anterior perineal defects, we propose to rotate the flap 270º in the sagittal plane. In such manner, the cranial part of the flap covers the most anterior part of the defect, optimizing the arc of rotation of the flap. In posterior perineal defects, rotating the flap 180º in the coronal plane avoids tension on the pedicle. As a result, the cranial part of the flap covers the most posterior part of the defect. In our experience, these technical notes aid to guarantee the viability of the flap when performing perineal reconstructions, preventing from torsion or tension on the epigastric vessels during its transposition inside the pelvis.

Extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of large pelviperineal defects following oncologic resection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (eVRAM) flap has been proposed for reconstruction of large pelviperineal defects where traditional VRAM flap is insufficient. We present our experience with eVRAM flap for pelviperineal reconstruction following oncologic resection. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted, including all the patients who underwent reconstruction with eVRAM flap after complex pelvic resection, between 2012 and 2020. EVRAM flap was indicated when traditional VRAM was considered deficient to cover or reach the skin defect or to fill the dead space. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included in the study. Successful reconstruction with eVRAM flap was achieved in 40 patients. There were three flap failures, and one patient died in the second postoperative day because of multiple organ failure. Perineal wound complications occurred in 17 patients (38.6%), eight of them requiring surgical reoperation. Donor site problems were present in five patients (11.4%), and only one patient required surgical closure because of a major dehiscence. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found the eVRAM flap to be a useful and reliable flap for reconstruction of complex pelviperineal wounds, with a low rate of donor site morbidity.

Using Free Arterialized Venous Flaps for Reconstructing Hand Defects.

Hand and digit soft tissue defects are quite common and frequently require specialized reconstruction. When local flaps cannot be used to reconstruct a soft tissue defect, free flaps must be utilized. To overcome tissue volume and discrepancies in vessel diameter, arterialized venous free flaps from the forearm may provide an acceptable alternative. When using arterialized venous free flaps, surgeons should implement shunt restriction procedures to enhance flap viability.

A Protocol for Performing Reconstructive Microsurgery on Patients With COVID-19.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic, challenging health care systems all over the world. National health care systems have reorganized to cope with the disease. Surgical services departments around the world have been affected and elective surgical procedures have been postponed to conserve medical resources. When a patient with COVID-19 requires an urgent microsurgical free flap due to trauma or a tumor, personnel from the health care facility must have a protocol in place to follow for the patient's care and follow-up. In this article, we present our protocol for patients with COVID-19 requiring reconstructive microsurgery.

Omental free flap for surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of lower limb: A technical note.

Soft tissue reconstruction of chronic lower extremity wounds with bone infection entails an important challenge in reconstructive surgery. We report our experience using the omentum free flap to provide coverage in two patients suffering chronic osteomyelitis of the lower limbs. After extensive soft tissue and bone debridement, an omentum free flap was performed in both cases, providing dead space obliteration and soft tissue coverage in behalf of its large size and pliability. As a result, the chronic illness was eradicated in both patients, with satisfactory outcomes and infection resolution.

The Distally Based Posterior Tibial Artery Flap.

Soft tissue defects to the distal leg and hindfoot are challenging with only the smallest defects closed primarily without tissue transposition. These defects to the distal leg and hindfoot can lead to tendon desiccation, damaged neurovascular structures, and exposed joint surfaces. These wounds can be the result of postoperative dehiscence and exposed orthopedic hardware, with high susceptibility to infection. Pedicled fasciocutaneous flaps of the medial leg provide an excellent solution with good outcomes that do not require microanastomosis and have similar outcomes as compared with free flap reconstruction in the lower extremity.

Unique Techniques or Approaches in Microvascular and Microlymphatic Surgery.

Several methods can be used for identifying tissues for transfer in donor-site-depleted patients. A fillet flap can be temporarily stored in other parts of the body and transferred back to the site of tissue defect, including covering the amputated stump of the lower extremity. Human arm transplant is rare and has some unique concerns for the surgery and postsurgical treatment. Cosmetics of the narrow neck of transferred second toes can be improved with insertion of a flap. Lymphedema of the breast after cancer treatment can be diagnosed with several currently available imaging techniques and treated surgically with lymphaticovenous anastomosis.

Simultaneous Opponensplasty and Free Gracilis Muscle Flap for Thenar Reconstruction after Arteriovenous Malformation Resection.

We report the case of a thenar eminence arteriovenous malformation presenting with continuous growth and pain that was treated with surgical excision after embolization. Extracapsular resection compromised thenar muscles which function was reconstructed with extensor indicis proprius transfer for opposition and abduction, and neurotized free gracilis muscle flap for opposition and adduction, as well as thenar eminence reconstruction.

Giant nasofrontal meningioma: endoscopic and transcranial approach followed by microvascularized vastus laterallis flap reconstruction.

A 12-year-old girl presented with headache, nasal voice, and anosmia. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 11 × 9 × 8-cm tumor extending from the nasal cavity to the frontal lobes. Histological analysis was consistent with transitional meningioma WHO grade I. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of a giant olfactory groove meningioma invading the nasal cavity through the anterior cranial base. Complete surgical removal was accomplished with excellent result via a staged endoscopic and transcranial approach. A microvascularized vastus laterallis flap was used for reconstruction. Surgical options and technical details in the management of this lesion are reviewed.

Clinical Significance of Alloantibodies in Hand Transplantation: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) have a strong negative correlation with long-term survival in solid organ transplantation. Although the clinical significance of DSA and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in upper extremity transplantation (UET) remains to be established, a growing number of single-center reports indicate their presence and potential clinical impact. METHODS: We present a multicenter study assessing the occurrence and significance of alloantibodies in UET in reference to immunological parameters and functional outcome. RESULTS: Our study revealed a high prevalence and early development of de novo DSA and non-DSA (43%, the majority detected within the first 3 postoperative y). HLA class II mismatch correlated with antibody development, which in turn significantly correlated with the incidence of acute cellular rejection. Cellular rejections preceded antibody development in almost all cases. A strong correlation between DSA and graft survival or function cannot be statistically established at this early stage but a correlation with a lesser outcome seems to emerge. CONCLUSIONS: While the phenotype and true clinical effect of AMR remain to be better defined, the high prevalence of DSA and the correlation with acute rejection highlight the need for optimizing immunosuppression, close monitoring, and the relevance of an HLA class II match in UET recipients.