Thoraco dorsal artery perforator flap for trismus release in a young girl

"Submarine-Shaped" Radial Forearm Flap for Simultaneous Reconstruction of Oral and Lower Lip Defects"

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of the oral cavity commonly results in trismus and lip incompetence.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aim to describe an innovative design of a radial forearm free flap for resurfacing bilateral buccal defects and simultaneous functional lower lip reconstruction in a single stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2010 and December 2019, 6 males underwent simultaneous buccal and lower lip reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap. The mean age of the patients was 57.3 years (range, 50-68 years). The defects were caused by trismus release and due to previous treatments. The mean size of the defects was 17.9 cm in length and 3.25 cm in width. Flaps were harvested, including the proximal perforators of the radial vessels, and the inset began in the buccal area opposite the anastomosis side.

RESULTS

Flap size ranged from 16 to 21 × 2 to 4 cm. The recipient vessels used were the superficial temporal (4) and facial (2). All flaps survived. Lip infection was seen in 2 cases and managed conservatively. The mean follow-up was 19.2 months (range, 12-28 months). The mean increase in the interincisal distance was 10.7 mm. Oral continence was good in all patients. Speech intelligibility was considered total in 4 patients and partial in the remaining 2.

CONCLUSION

The radial forearm flap constitutes an option for simultaneous lower lip reconstruction and resurfacing of bilateral buccal areas after trismus release. The procedure provides a thin and pliable reconstruction using only 1 donor site and 1 set of recipient vessels.

Anatomic Study and Clinic Application of Transverse Circumflex Scapular Artery Perforator Flap Repair of Lower Limb Soft Tissue Defects in Children

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the viability of the transverse circumflex scapular artery perforator flap (TCSAPF) in children with soft tissue defects of the lower limb.

METHODS

In an anatomic study, 25 fresh cadavers were injected with lead oxide-gelatin for spiral computed tomography and 3-dimensional image reconstruction. In a 3-year clinical application study, children with soft tissue defects and exposed tendons and/or bones in the lower limb underwent free-TCSAPF repair of the defect.

RESULTS

Perforators from the transverse branch of the circumflex scapular artery were identified in both anatomical and clinical studies. The average external diameter was 0.9 ± 0.3 mm. Each perforator supplied an average area of 63.5 ± 16.8 cm in anatomical. Twenty-one children were included in this group (9 boys, 12 girls, mean age, 6.6 ± 2.7 years). The size of the flaps ranged from 6 to 17 cm × 4.5 to 7 cm (average, 65.3 ± 22.6 cm). The average flap harvesting time was 30.1 ± 8.5 minutes, average operation time was 138.6 ± 31.5 minutes, and average blood loss was 89.5 ± 21.9 mL. The average length of the vessel pedicle was 8.2 ± 2.4 cm. Arterial congestion occurred in one child, 18 hours postoperatively; subsequent re-exploration and great saphenous vein transplantation were successful. Of the 3 children who had bulky flaps, 1 patient underwent defatting. Satisfactory outcomes included good appearance and function of the recipient and donor areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The TCSAPF provides high-quality skin and vessel flexibility, providing a reliable blood supply in children. The flap has potential benefits over existing perforator flaps.

Effects of Venous Superdrainage and Arterial Supercharging on Dorsal Perforator Flap in a Rat Model

Objective

To comparatively assess the effects of venous superdrainage and arterial supercharging on dorsal perforator flap survival.

Materials and Methods

Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats (450–550g) were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20), including control group (Control) and experimental groups A (venous superdrainage, Exp. A) and B (arterial supercharging, Exp. B). At postoperative day 7, survival areas of the flaps were evaluated and all animals underwent angiography. Laser Doppler was used to evaluate flap perfusion from 0h to 7days after surgery. Histology with hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to count microvessels. Tissue of “Choke vessels”was excised for quantification of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by western blot assay at 6h and 7days after surgery.

Results

In the Exp. A group, almost all flaps survived (98.2±1.6%); in the Exp. B and control group, survival areas accounted for 78.8±8.5% and 60.3±7.8%, respectively (P <0.001). In addition, Exp. A animals showed improved anastomosis of choke vessels 2 compared with the Exp. B and Control groups. Furthermore, flap blood flow and partial pressure of oxygen in the Exp. A group were significantly higher compared with values obtained for the Exp. B and Control groups, from 6 hours to 7 days after surgery. More microvessels were found in the Exp. A group (11.65±1.33) than in Exp. B (9.25±0.34) and control (7.25±0.91) animals on POD 7. The relative expression level of HIF-1α and VEGF were significant at 6h and 7days after surgery.

Conclusions

Venous superdrainage in rat dorsal perforator flap is more effective than arterial supercharging in promoting flap survival, and could effectively alter hemodynamics in the microcirculation and stimulate blood vessel formation.