Journal of reconstructive microsurgery
-
J Reconstr Microsurg · Jul 2013
Proximal-based saphenous neurocutaneous flaps: a novel tool for reconstructive surgery in the proximal lower leg and knee.
Soft tissue defects around the knee region are usually complex and require adequate reconstruction with flaps. In this article, we present our experience using the proximal-based saphenous neurocutaneous flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the knee and the proximal lower leg. ⋯ Our experience has demonstrated that the proximal-based saphenous neurocutaneous flap is a safe and reliable tool for reconstruction of the defects around the proximal lower leg and knee.
-
J Reconstr Microsurg · Jun 2013
Islanded perforator flaps in the reconstruction of hidradenitis suppurativa defects.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a recurrent, chronic, and suppurative cutaneous disease of unknown etiology. Radical excision of all affected skin followed by flap coverage of the defect is the treatment method of choice in severe and recurrent cases. This study discusses the use of local islanded perforator flaps in the reconstruction of defects following excision of hidradenitis suppurativa lesions in axillary, gluteal, and inguinal regions. ⋯ The defects in the gluteal region were repaired with superior gluteal artery perforator flaps, inguinal defects were repaired with medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flaps, and the axillary defects were repaired with thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. There was no total flap loss in the postoperative period, but one marginal necrosis and two wound infections occurred. There was no recurrence of hidradenitis suppurativa or revision requirement during the mean follow-up period of 11.5 months.
-
J Reconstr Microsurg · Jun 2013
Improved location technology of perforators of anterolateral thigh flap for Chinese patients.
The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has been widely used in reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The anatomic variations of perforators increase the difficulties of flap elevation. The ABC system has been described for locating the most common three perforators in Western populations. Less evidence has been found regarding whether it is suitable for Chinese population. The purpose of this study is to explore the improvement of preoperative location technology and flap design for Chinese people. ⋯ The A-P line is still a reliable guiding line for Doppler detection and flap design. The ABC system is suitable for the Chinese population but must be adjusted: perforator B is marked first at the midpoint and 0.5 cm lateral to the A-P line and perforators A and C are marked 4 cm distal and proximal to perforator B, respectively. In designing the flap, the region 3 cm around point B and the region between the two horizontal planes at point B and 4 cm lower should both be contained into the flap, no matter what the finding of Doppler detection is.
-
J Reconstr Microsurg · May 2013
Case ReportsPrefabricated neck expanded skin flap with the superficial temporal vessels for facial resurfacing.
The achievement of a normal-appearing face after surgical resurfacing remains an elusive goal. This is due in part to insufficient color matching, restoration of contours, and the persistence of visible scars. Flap prefabrication is a staged procedure that provides an independent axial blood supply to local expanded tissues. We describe a new reconstructive alternative with superior reconstructive surgical options for facial resurfacing that better matches damaged or discarded facial tissues. ⋯ Prefabricated neck-expanded skin flap demonstrated an excellent color and texture match with facial skin that surrounded the repair sites, and optimal aesthetic results were obtained. Importantly, facial expression was completely maintained due to thinness and pliability of the rotated skin.
-
J Reconstr Microsurg · May 2013
Case ReportsSplit and thinned pedicle deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for vulvar reconstruction.
Vulvar defects following tumor extirpation are most commonly closed primarily by the gynecologist but larger and/or radiated defects often require reconstruction with flaps for adequate coverage and wound healing. Recurrence of vulvar carcinomas remains a challenge, so secondary reconstruction becomes increasingly problematic where locoregional flaps (i.e., gracilis, rectus, anterolateral thigh, and gluteal flaps) may have already been utilized, radiated, or have resulted in unacceptable cosmetic or functional morbidity. ⋯ Previous authors have reported the use of thinned and split flaps, but we combine these techniques to split and thin a transversely oriented deep interior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap to maximize aesthetic results and minimize donor-site morbidity. The DIEP flap is commonly performed by microsurgeons for autologous free-tissue transfer in breast reconstruction but also serves as a useful option for large vulvar or perineal defects, either in primary or secondary reconstruction.