Extremity salvage with a free musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap and free tendon transfer after resection of a large congenital fibro sarcoma in a 15-week-old infant. A case report

Double microvascular free flap reconstruction for bilateral lower extremity injury in a paediatric patient

Many challenges have been described by microsurgeons in paediatric free flaps. With the advancement in microsurgical expertise, it is now possible to achieve excellent results. We present a case of a female child with car-tyre friction injury of bilateral feet with associated extradural haemorrhage who underwent emergency bilateral anterolateral thigh flap. A secondary tendon reconstruction of the left foot was performed at 6 months. No complications were observed in the postoperative period after both procedures and good functional recovery was achieved at 1 year follow-up. The problems unique to this case were the presence of head injury and bilateral extremity injury in the paediatric patient. The technical details of planning, execution, difficulties and recommendations to minimise the risk in such cases are discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only case report of bilateral lower limb paediatric emergency free flap with associated head injury.

Management of Post-Electric Burn Microstomia by Free Radial Artery Forearm Flap in a 1-Year-Old Child

Management of post-electric burn microstomia is a challenging task, especially in children, as it causes difficulty in feeding and airway problems (secondary to nasal airway blockage). The recreated defect is often full thickness and requires full-thickness tissue for reconstruction. The free flap can provide adequate normal tissue for the restoration of functions and aesthesis of the perioral region. However, performing free flaps in children is equally demanding due to small-diameter vessel anastomosis and postoperative monitoring. We present a case of postburn microstomia that was managed by contracture release and reconstruction by free radial artery forearm flap in a 1-year-old child. Postoperatively, at 6 months of follow-up, the flap settled well and the child was able to open his mouth fully with good aesthetic outcome. The free flap can be considered a good and safe option for perioral contracture release and reconstruction for better functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Large wounds reconstruction of the lower extremity with combined latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap transfer

BACKGROUND

Management of large wounds of the lower extremities remains a challenge for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Herein, a surgical technique and clinical algorithm using the combined transfer of a latissimus dorsi (LD) musculocutaneous flap and flow-through anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap for the treatment of extensive soft-tissue defects is described.

METHODS

From January 2012 to September 2018, 12 patients (six men and six women) aged 6-37 years, sustained injuries in road traffic accidents with large soft-tissue defects in the lower extremities. Seven cases were Gustillo Anderson type IIIB open fractures and two cases were Gustillo Anderson type IIIC open fractures. Two wounds were located in the knee joint, four in the calf, and six in the ankle and foot. The skin defect size ranged from 25 × 20 cm² to 36 × 25 cm² . All patients in this series underwent reconstruction using combined transfer of the LD musculocutaneous flap and flow-through ALT perforator flap, wherein the LD was attached through its pedicle to the distal continuation of the ALT flap.

RESULTS

The size of the flow-through ALT perforator flaps ranged from 13.5 × 6.5 cm² to 31 × 8.5 cm² . The size of the LD musculocutaneous skin paddle ranged from 25 × 6 cm² to 34 × 7 cm² , and that of the muscle paddle ranged from 13 × 3.5 cm² to 30 × 11 cm² . One patient experienced postoperative thrombosis of the venous pedicle, and the flap was salvaged after emergency re-exploration and thrombectomy. No other complications were observed postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 26.8 months. All patients were able to ambulate independently at the end of the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined transfer of the LD musculocutaneous flap and flow-through ALT perforator flap ensured adequate surface coverage, making it a feasible procedure for large soft-tissue defects.

Free flaps for lower limb soft tissue reconstruction in children: Systematic review

BACKGROUND

Since the first reports on microsurgery in children, there has been an evolution in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects as evidenced by a shift to free flaps as the first-line treatment.

METHODS

The primary objective of this systematic review was to compare the complication rate of free perforator/fasciocutaneous flaps with free muscular/myocutaneous flaps in pediatric lower limb soft tissue reconstructions. The secondary objective was to evaluate the frequency and severity of complications for both reconstructive options. A search was performed in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library depending on predefined inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The evolution to perforator flaps from muscular and myocutaneous flaps is reflected in this systematic review as demonstrated by the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap, which is the most common reconstructive option with a very low complication rate (11.3%) and flap loss. The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap was the second most frequently reported reconstruction with a complication rate comparable with that of the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap (32% vs. 39%, respectively), but the former suffers few failures. The radial forearm (RFA) fasciocutaneous flap can be considered a good alternative for ALT and TDAP flaps with a very low complication rate (16%) and no flap loss.

CONCLUSIONS

The ALT flap is considered the best reconstructive method for pediatric lower limb soft tissue defects. More adequate prospective studies specifically concerning free flap reconstructions for lower limb defects in children are necessary in the future to provide guidelines for treatment and optimize outcomes in the long term.

Microsurgical Reconstruction of Traumatic Lower Extremity Defects in the Pediatric Population

BACKGROUND

Few reports focus exclusively on microsurgical reconstruction of traumatic lower extremity defects in children. Hence, the authors felt it prudent to contribute to this area of clinical research. The authors hypothesized that reconstructive success would be comparable to success rates reported in adults, and that young age or concerns regarding vessel size or behavior do not negatively impact surgical outcome.

METHODS

A retrospective review of microsurgical lower extremity reconstruction cases at two academic medical centers was performed. All pediatric patients who underwent microsurgical reconstruction of traumatic lower extremity defects between 1997 and 2012 were included for analysis.

RESULTS

Forty flaps transferred in 40 patients with a mean age of 11.4 years (range, 1 to 17 years) were included for analysis. Muscle flaps were predominantly used [n = 23 (57.5 percent)]; however, there was a recent increase in use of fasciocutaneous flaps [n = 16 (40 percent)]. Postoperative complications were seen in 25 percent of patients, with a total flap loss rate of 5 percent. No donor-site complications were observed. The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 12.9 days (range, 4 to 41 days), with patients returning to full weight-bearing after a mean of 2.6 months (range, 1 to 8 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Microsurgical reconstruction of traumatic lower extremity defects in the pediatric population is safe. Concerns related to patient age, vessel size, or vessel behavior (i.e., vasospasm) should not detract from offering free flap reconstruction, as they do not negatively impact outcomes.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Minimally invasive surgery using intraoperative electron-beam radiotherapy for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities with tendon involvement

Background

When a soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is located at the distal part of an extremity and involves the tendon, a wide excision usually causes severe functional disability. We therefore developed a minimally invasive surgical technique using intraoperative electron-beam radiotherapy (IOERT) to reduce the incidence of post-operative functional disability in patients with peri-/intra-tendinous STS. We assessed the clinical outcomes of the novel minimally invasive surgery.

Methods

The study population included five patients who received treatment for distal extremity STSs. After elevating the tumor mass, including the tendon and nerve from the tumor bed with a wide margin, a lead board was inserted beneath the tumor mass to shield the normal tissue. IOERT (25–50 Gy) was then applied, and the tumor excised with care taken to maintain the continuity of the tendon.

Results

In a desmoid patient, local recurrence was observed outside the irradiated field. No cases of neuropathy or bone necrosis were observed. The mean limb function score was excellent in all patients. None of the high-grade sarcoma patients had local recurrence or distant metastasis.

Conclusions

Although the current study is only a pilot study with a small number of patients, it shows that this minimally invasive procedure has the potential to become a standard treatment option for selected patients.

Trial registration

H17-250 (registered 2 November 2005) and H25-250 (modified from H17-250, registered 5 December 2013)

Robotic latissimus dorsi muscle harvest: a case series

BACKGROUND

The latissimus dorsi muscle is a workhorse of reconstructive surgery. Traditional harvest technique requires a long, posterior donor-site incision. Endoscopic harvest is limited by technical challenges. Robotic technology permits a simpler, minimally invasive harvest technique.

METHODS

Seven consecutive robotic latissimus dorsi muscle harvests were performed by a single surgeon. Two were used as free flaps for scalp reconstruction and the remaining five as pedicled flaps for breast reconstruction; three were for immediate, implant-based reconstruction with nipple-areola complex-sparing mastectomies, and two were for radiated breasts when the expander was exchanged for an implant. Harvest technique employed a short, axillary incision for pedicle dissection and two to three additional ports for robotic instrumentation.

RESULTS

All seven muscle flaps were harvested without converting to an open technique. Both free flaps were successfully transferred. All pedicled flaps resulted in successful breast reconstructions. Flap harvest complications included a single, temporary radial nerve palsy in the contralateral extremity, likely from positioning. There were no donor-site hematomas, seromas, or cutaneous thermal injuries. Robotic harvest time decreased from over 2 hours to about an hour over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic harvest of the latissimus dorsi is a novel and effective method of muscle harvest. It offers technical advantages over endoscopic harvest and aesthetic advantages over the open technique.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Lower limb salvage in a 7-month-old infant using free tissue transfer

Free flap reconstruction in infants is extremely rare. A seven-and-a-half-month-old male infant sustained an extensive soft tissue defect on his left knee caused by extravasation of an intraosseous arterenol infusion. A free latissimus dorsi flap was successfully performed for soft tissue reconstruction. Indications, advantages, and outcome of the procedure are discussed.