1/249. Reconstruction of soft-tissue defects using serratus anterior adipofascial free flap. The serratus anterior muscle has been suggested as a versatile and reliable flap for reconstruction of head and neck and extremity injuries. The adipofascial layer overlying the serratus anterior muscle is the anatomic layer, which is supplied by the same branch of thoracodorsal artery. Even though great progress has occurred in the prevention of postoperative adhesion of extremity injuries, the problem has not been completely solved and is still of special importance in complex injuries. Between March of 1995 and February of 1996, seven patients underwent reconstructive operation as a result of soft-tissue defects of the upper or lower extremities or the scalp. We transferred free adipofascial tissue overlying the serratus anterior muscle in three patients and both serratus anterior muscle and adipofascial tissue in four patients. A free adipofascial flap overlying serratus anterior muscle was transferred when a gliding surface was required, owing to the exposure of tendons and neurovascular structures. The average duration from operation to follow-up examination was 8 months (from 4 to 16 months). The results of the operations were satisfactory in functional and cosmetic aspects. This kind of flap was very effective in reconstruction of soft-tissue defects and gliding surfaces for these reasons: easy dissection, the capability of obtaining a long vascular pedicle, large-sized flap, composite flap including muscle or rib, and the fact that there was no serious functional or cosmetic deficit at the donor site. ( info) |
2/249. Serratus anterior free fascial flap for dorsal hand coverage. Reconstruction of the dorsal surface of hand defects requires thin, pliable, well-vascularized tissue with a gliding surface for the extensor tendon course. Fasciocutaneous or fascial flaps are the two surgical options. Fascial flaps present the advantages of thinness and low donor site morbidity. The authors present 4 cases of serratus anterior free fascial flap (SAFFF) used to cover the dorsum of the hand. The SAFFF with skin graft has many advantages for a fascial flap: long, constant vascular pedicle; very thin, well-vascularized tissue; low donor site morbidity; and the possibility of simultaneous donor and recipient site dissection. Furthermore, it can be associated with other flaps of the subscapular system for complex reconstructions. Of the 4 observations described, 2 used associated flaps, 1 used the SAFFF with a latissimus dorsi flap, and 1 used a scapular bone flap with the SAFFF. One flap was lost due to an electrical lesion to the forearm vessels. ( info) |
3/249. Ilizarov's technique used to expand skin from a groin flap. We report a case in which a groin flap was used to cover the degloved fingers. Subsequently, Ilizarov's technique was used to expand the groin flap before the syndactylized digits were separated. ( info) |
4/249. Non-free osteoplasty of the mandible in maxillofacial gunshot wounds: mandibular reconstruction by compression-osteodistraction. We have treated 33 young men with medium to large (3-8 cm) bony and soft tissue defects of the lower third of the face caused by gunshot wounds. After debridement, collapsing the proximal segments for primary approximation of soft and hard tissues and a closed osteotomy of a small fragment of mandible, we used an original compression-distraction device, designed in 1982 and tested during 1983 (analogous devices were absent at that time) to reposition the mandible and cause callus to form (during distraction) between the fragment and to use the remaining stumps of bone to fill in the defect. The soft tissues were repaired at the same time. Twenty-eight of the patients presented within a few hours of injury, and the remaining five had old injuries. The only complications were in the group with old injuries where four patients developed abscesses that required drainage, but these did not interfere with the process of osteogenesis. All 33 patients had good functional and aesthetic results within 3-4.5 months. The method allows a bloodless minimally traumatic procedure which can be carried out in one stage. The results compare very favourably with the classic methods of the treatment of mandibular gunshot injuries. ( info) |
5/249. Reversed neurofasciocutaneous flaps based on the superficial branches of the radial nerve. Soft-tissue reconstruction of the hand needs to cover the vital structures with flaps. It is usually difficult to maintain function and form with minimal morbidity. Local tissue is preferable but it is also very valuable. Especially in the distal part of the upper extremity, flap coverage is a challenging problem because of limited reconstructive alternatives. On the dorsum of the hand, flaps can be designed based on the paraneural vascular network of the cutaneous sensory nerves. These paraneural vascular networks send branches to the surrounding tissues. The branches to the skin are known as neurocutaneous perforators. The authors used eight reversed neurofasciocutaneous flaps based on the superficial branches of the radial nerve. Six flaps were based on the branch to the index finger and two flaps were based on the branch to the thumb. All flaps survived completely, and successful flap coverage was achieved in all patients with minimal morbidity. ( info) |
6/249. Treatment and stabilization of complex wounds involving the pelvic bone, groin, and femur with the inferiorly based rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap and the use of power color Doppler imaging in preoperative evaluation. The authors present case reports demonstrating the trilevel utility of the inferiorly based rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in the closure of complex wounds involving the pelvis, groin, and femur that had failed previously or were not amenable to traditional closure techniques. The use of the rectus abdominis flap was especially advantageous for achieving infection eradication and large dead space closure. Additionally they present the emerging technique of power color Doppler imaging as a valuable tool in preoperative flap planning. This technique is particularly useful in evaluating the candidacy for rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap placement of patients with a prior history of abdominal surgeries, trauma, infection, irradiation, or other conditions that might compromise the patency of the deep inferior epigastric vessels. ( info) |
7/249. Amputated lower limbs as a bank of organs for other organ salvage. Aggressive modern technologies have made it possible to attempt limb salvage in even the most extreme cases. However, it is imperative to remember that prolonged salvage attempts may lead to devastating complications. The decision-making is more problematic in patients with bilateral severely injured mangled lower limbs. In such a case, protocols like the MESS are no longer valid because of the implications of bilateral amputation. In these rare cases, we use a multi-team approach and modern micro-surgical reconstructive techniques in attempting to salvage at least one of the lower limbs. We present here our experience in six patients with bilateral mangled lower limbs where an amputated limb was the source of "spare parts" for the salvage of the contralateral limb. In each of the cases, after evaluation and planning, the harvesting of the required tissues (including skin, muscle, bone, nerve and blood vessels) from the amputated leg was performed and simultaneously, a reconstruction of the contralateral severely injured limb was done. These cases emphasize the importance of modern trauma care, not only the ability to treat multiply traumatized patients, but also the capability to execute sophisticated techniques during the acute phase of treatment with maximal cooperation between teams from different disciplines. ( info) |
8/249. Prevention of skin and soft tissue entrapment in tibial segment transportation. We report of a ten year old patient with soft tissue damage and bone defect of the tibia as a sequel of osteomyelitis. After excision and stabilization with an Ilizarov fixateur segment transportation was started. In order to avoid skin and soft tissue entrapment in the docking region, we used a metal cage as a space provider, which was shortened as segment transportation progressed. To our knowledge this simple method has not been described so far. ( info) |
9/249. Unusual presentation of a ring injury in a psychiatric patient. 1. A ring embedded in the digits may result in erosion of the skin, tendons, and bones. 2. This type of injury may be prevented by removing the ring at the time of the injury. 3. All constricting bands should be carefully monitered and, if necessary, removed from fingers to prevent chronic erosion especially in people with a physical or mental disability. ( info) |
10/249. Experience with regional flaps in the comprehensive treatment of maxillofacial soft-tissue injuries in war victims. This article presents our experience with regional flaps in the treatment of facial soft-tissue defects and deformities in 33 patients with various facial injuries from warfare during the period from 1986 to 1999. Thirty-two males and 1 female aged between 8 and 53 years (mean 24.18 years) were treated with facial soft-tissue injuries from high velocity projectiles and varying degrees of associated hard-tissue injuries. Bullets were the most common cause (70%), followed by injuries from shrapnel (21%), land mines (6%), and breech blocks (3%). The perioral region was involved in 15 cases (45%), the midface and cheeks were involved in 13 cases (39%), and the periorbital area was involved in 5 cases (15%). All soft-tissue injuries were treated primarily by debridement and primary closure and by combining, modifying, and tailoring standard regional flap techniques to fit the location of the injury and compensate for the extent of tissue loss. These procedures consisted basically of local-advancement or rotation-advancement flaps, used in conjunction with pedicled fat or subcutaneous supporting flaps, nasolabial, cheek, cervical, Dieffenbach, and Abbe-type flaps. Scar revision, tissue repositioning, and lengthening procedures, such as W, V-Y, Z, or multiple Z-plasty techniques were also used both primarily and secondarily. Revisions and secondary operations were done in 48% of the patients. Initial healing of the flaps was favourable in 76% of the patients. Postoperative discharge from the suture sites was seen in 24% of the patients, but this usually resolved within several weeks using daily irrigation, and these cases underwent scar revision subsequently. None of the soft-tissue flaps sloughed or developed necrosis. Form and function of the soft-tissue reconstructed regions usually recovered within one year postoperatively. The aesthetic results obtained were favourable. None required facial nerve grafting as only the terminal branches were injured in our cases and functional recovery was acceptable. Application of local tissue transfer procedures in our series of facial warfare injuries yielded acceptable tissue form, texture, and colour match, especially when these procedures were used in combination, and tailored to surgically fit the individual case. Moreover, application of these procedures is relatively easy and postoperative morbidity is limited, provided the general condition of the patient is stable, and the surgical techniques used have good indications and flap principles. ( info) |