Reconstruction of the distal humerus and elbow joint using a pedicled scapular flap: case report

Free Your Mind, Not Your Flap

The pedicled flap has been a mainstay of soft tissue reconstruction since the earliest days of plastic surgery. Advances in surgical technology and skill have led to an erosion in the use of pedicled flaps in favor of increasingly popular free tissue transfers. Still, regional flaps without microvascular anastomosis remain a valuable reconstructive tool. Although still requiring microsurgical skills, these flaps are of particular benefit in patients with few or poor quality recipient vessels, in those who cannot tolerate antiplatelet therapy, and in those who cannot tolerate the often-extended anesthesia time necessitated by microvascular anastomosis. Furthermore, pedicled flaps may significantly reduce total cost of a reconstruction procedure with similar outcomes. In this case series, we report challenging scenarios where microsurgical approaches may have been typical choices but were instead reconstructed by pedicled options with desired outcomes. Difficult soft tissue defects were successfully reconstructed with a variety of pedicled flaps. Soft tissue transfers to the abdomen, flank, shoulder, and back are presented. None of the reconstructions required microvascular anastomosis.

Vascularized Scapular Bone Grafting: Indications, Techniques, Clinical Outcomes, and Alternatives

Spinal fusion can be challenging to obtain in patients with complex spinal pathology. Medial scapular vascularized bone grafts (S-VBGs) are a novel approach to supplement cervicothoracic arthrodesis in patients at high risk of failed spinal fusion. In this article, we discuss the benefits of using VBGs compared with both nonvascularized bone grafts and free vascularized bone flaps and the surgical technique, feasibility, and limitations specific to the S-VBG.

Interposition Arthroplasty of the Elbow After Proximal Ulna Reconstruction With the Masquelet Technique: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Periarticular bone loss in the upper extremity poses challenges for a functional reconstruction.

CASE

A 32-year-old man sustained an open elbow fracture-dislocation from a high-velocity gunshot resulting in significant bone and soft-tissue loss about the proximal ulna. He underwent bony reconstruction with the Masquelet technique and delayed interposition arthroplasty in an attempt to preserve function.

CONCLUSIONS

The Masquelet technique, coupled with interposition arthroplasty, may be used to address significant articular bony defects about the proximal ulna, allowing patients to maintain function and limit pain.