Microsurgical reconstruction of major scalp defects following scalp avulsion.

INTRODUCTION: Total scalp avulsion is a serious injury, commonly occurring in Indian females working with industrial and agricultural machines. Their long hairs often get caught in a rapidly revolving machines, resulting in total avulsion of scalp. Lack of education and awareness in Indian villages often result in these patients coming late to the hospitals when replantation is not possible and scalp reconstruction remains the only available option. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed our study on 22 cases of scalp avulsion injury presented to us between June 2007 and April 2012 at Department of Burn, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, SMS Hospital, Jaipur. In all of them a free tissue transfer was performed as an elective procedure. RESULTS: Twenty two patients underwent free tissue transfer and followed up for an average period of 6 months. All patients included in this study were females with mean age of 28 yrs. Five patients in our study reported with partial necrosis of the free flaps which were subsequently managed with split-thickness skin graft (STSG). Two patients reported total necrosis of the flap which was re-operated using latissimus dorsi along with serratus anterior muscle (LDSA) from the contralateral side. CONCLUSION: As scalp avulsion because of rapidly rotating machine leads to large size defect not amenable for local tissue reconstruction. We performed reconstruction using LDSA and omental free flaps with split thickness skin graft (STSG) for large scalp defect and achieved good and stable soft tissue cover with satisfactory cosmesis.

Reconstruction of post-traumatic long bone defect with vascularised free fibula: A series of 28 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The severe long bone defects usually follow high-energy trauma and are often associated with a significant soft-tissue injury. The goal of management of these open long bone defects is to provide stable fixation with maintenance of limb length and soft-tissue coverage. The purpose of this article is to present the clinic-radiological outcome, complications and treatment of post-traumatic long bone defect with vascularised fibula transfer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective records of 28 patients were analysed who presented with post-traumatic long bone defects and in whom reconstruction with vascularised free fibula was done. Demographic data were recorded and clinical and radiological assessment was done. RESULTS: Out of 28 patients in whom vascularised free fibula transfer was carried out three flaps were lost while non-union occur in three patients. Three patients developed a stress fracture of transferred free fibula in the post-operative period. Few of the patients experienced some problems in the donor leg; however, all of them improved in subsequent follow-up. DISCUSSION: It is clearly evident from this study that timing of surgery plays an important role in the micro-vascular reconstruction in trauma cases. All the complication like flap loss, non-union or delayed union occur in patients in whom reconstruction was delayed. CONCLUSION: The free vascularised fibula graft is a viable method for the reconstruction of skeletal defects of more than 6 cm, especially in cases of scarred and avascular recipient sites or in patients with combined bone and soft-tissue defects. Results are best when the reconstruction is done within 1 week of trauma.