Uso de colgajos perforantes para el tratamiento de hidradenitis supurativa axilar y esternal graves / Use of perforator flaps for treatment of severe axillary and sternal hidradenitis suppurativa

Resumen Objetivo: Presentar una serie de reconstrucciones con colgajos perforantes en pacientes con casos severos de hidradenitis supurativa y sus resultados. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizaron 7 reconstrucciones axilares y un caso de reconstrucción esternal en 5 pacientes. Todos los pacientes correspondieron a la clasificación II o III de Hurley, y fueron derivados a nuestro servicio después de por lo menos un año de tratamiento médico sin obtener resultados. El equipo de cirugía plástica realizó tanto la resección como la reconstrucción en todos los casos. Los vasos perforantes fueron marcados con un dispositivo Doppler sonido. Resultados: Se obtuvo cobertura en todos los casos, con solo una pérdida parcial de colgajo que fue resuelta con curaciones. Tras un seguimiento de 26 meses, no hubo recidiva de hidradenitis supurativa. Todas las reconstrucciones evolucionaron con resultados funcionales óptimos. Conclusión: Los colgajos perforantes son una buena alternativa para el tratamiento de casos severos de hidradenitis supurativa, tanto esternal como axilar. Por esta razón, debe ser considerado en el armamento de cirujanos plásticos que traten esta enfermedad, una vez que el tratamiento médico haya fallado.

Abstract Aim: To present a brief series of reconstructions with perforator flaps in severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa patients and results. Patients and methods: Seven axillary and one sternal case in five patients were operated on. All patients were in stage II or III according to Hurley classification, and were referred after at least one year of medical treatment with no satisfactory result. The plastic surgery team performed both, resection and reconstruction in all cases. Perforator vessels were marked using a handheld Doppler device. Results: One partial flap failure occurred, which healed with standard wound care. After a median follow up of 26 months, no relapse of hidradenitis suppurativa occurred. All reconstructions evolved with full functional results. Conclusion: Perforator flaps are a good choice in the treatment of severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa, both sternal and axillary. It should be considered in the armamentarium of any plastic surgeon treating patients with this condition, once the medical treatment has failed.

A Novel Perforator Flap Training Model Using a Chicken Leg.

INTRODUCTION: Living animal models are frequently used for perforator flap dissection training, but no ex vivo models have been described. The aim of this study is to present a novel nonliving model for perforator flap training based on a constant perforator in the chicken leg. METHODS: A total of 15 chicken legs were used in this study. Anatomical dissection of the perforator was performed after its identification using ink injection, and in four of these specimens a perforator-based flap was raised. RESULTS: The anatomical dissection revealed a constant intramuscular perforator with a median length of 5.7 cm. Median proximal and distal vessel diameters were 0.93 and 0.4 mm, respectively. The median dissection time was 77.5 minutes. CONCLUSION: This study introduces a novel, affordable, and reproducible model for the intramuscular dissection of a perforator-based flap using an ex vivo animal model. Its consistent perforator and appropriate-sized vessels make it useful for training.

A Novel Ex Vivo Training Model for Acquiring Supermicrosurgical Skills Using a Chicken Leg.

Background Supermicrosurgery is a technique used for dissection and anastomosis of submillimeter diameter vessels. This technique requires precise hand movements and superb eye-hand coordination, making continuous training necessary. Biological in vivo and ex vivo models have been described for this purpose, the latter being more accessible and cost-effective. The aim of this study is to present a new ex vivo training model using a chicken leg. Methods In 28 chicken legs, an anatomical study was performed. An intramuscular perforator vessel was identified and dissected. Arterial diameters of 0.7, 0.5, and 0.3 mm were identified and consistency of the perforator was assessed. In additional 10 chicken legs, 25 submillimeter arteries were anastomosed using this perforator vessel. Five arteries of 0.3 and 10 of 0.5 mm were anastomosed with nylon 11-0 and 12-0 sutures. Intravascular stent (IVaS) technique and open guide (OG) technique were used in 0.5-mm arteries. A total of 10 arteries of 0.7 mm were anastomosed using 10-0 sutures in a conventional fashion. Dissection and anastomosis time were recorded and patency was tested. Results We were able to identify 0.7 to 0.3 mm diameter arteries in all the specimens and confirm the consistency of the perforator. The median time for dissection was 13.4 minutes. The median time for anastomosis was 32.3 minutes for 0.3-mm arteries, 24.3 minutes for 0.5-mm arteries using IVaS, 29.5 minutes for the OG technique, and 20.9 minutes for the 0.7 mm diameter arteries. All the anastomoses were permeable. Conclusion Due to its consistent and adequate diameter vessels, this model is adequate for training supermicrosurgical skills.