[Double hatchet flap for reconstruction of skin defects in head and neck skin cancer surgery]

INTRODUCTION

Skin cancers are the most common human neoplasms with head and neck localization in 90% of cases. Primary therapy is surgery, resulting in absolute skin defects in a number of cases. The reconstruction of these is performed with local skin flaps showing identical colour, texture and follicle density with the defect site.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we report our preliminary experience with the head and neck application of double hatchet flap, a random pattern flap.

METHOD

In our study, results of patients undergoing double hatchet flap reconstruction in the period between November 2021 and June 2023 were analyzed prospectively in terms of tumor site, defect size, method of anesthesia, and early and late complication rates. Patients followed up to a minimum of 6 months were asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning their postoperative status.

RESULTS

A total of 13 patients with a mean age of 79.6 years underwent double hatchet flap reconstruction. The most frequent defect site was the scalp and the mean defect size was 40.5 × 32.1 mm. Histopathological examination showed R0 resection of the tumor in each case. The closure of the skin defect was insufficient in 1 case. Partial flap necrosis and mimical paralysis were observed as early and late complications in 2 cases, respectively. The most bothersome sequel reported by patients was scarring.

DISCUSSION

For selection of a local flap, the following factors need to be considered: localization and size of the defect, skin elasticity, amount of adjacent skin to mobilize, direction of relaxed skin tension lines and wrinkles, and aesthetic units. If the principles of the hatchet flap design (the ratio of flap length and width and pedicle width to the defect size) are adhered, the resulting technique is reliable with an acceptable complication rate.

CONCLUSION

The double hatchet flap as a random pattern flap is a fast, reliable technique especially for the closure of 2-5 cm skin defects of the scalp and forehead. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(44): 1755-1763.

Extended Use of McGregor Pedicled Groin Flap for Forearm: A Case Series

Tissue loss in the forearm is a common entity. There are various etiologies to tissue loss like trauma, burn, post-surgery, etc. Coverage of defect or tissue loss of the forearm is a surgical challenge and options available for forearm coverage are limited. To bypass this difficulty, McGregor pedicled groin flap is used by us to cover large forearm defects with successful outcomes in this case series.

Dual-Perforator Flap With Wide Pedicle Versus Sural Neurocutaneous Flap With Peroneal Artery Perforator in the Treatment of Soft Tissue Defects of Foot and Ankle

How to deal with large soft tissue defects around the foot and ankle is still controversial. The aim of this study was: (1) to display a new pedicled flap, also named the dual-perforator flap with wide pedicle (DPFWP), and (2) to compare it with the sural neurovascular flap with peroneal artery perforator (SNFPAP) in foot and ankle reconstruction. According to different surgical methods, 82 patients were divided into 2 groups: the DPFWP group (42 cases) and the SNFPAP group (40 cases). All cases underwent a flap surgery after radical debridement. The 2 groups were homogeneous in terms of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), etiology, location, and follow-up duration. Operation indexes were compared, including flap length, flap width, operation time and blood loss. Complications, cosmetic appearance, and functional outcome were analyzed, and statistical analysis was performed. The DPFWP group had larger flap length (24.5 ± 4.6 cm vs 16.3 ± 3.8 cm), and flap width (10.5 ± 2.7 cm vs 7.8 ± 1.7 cm) than the SNFPAP group. In postoperative follow-up, DPFWP group showed a lower complication rate and better cosmetic, functional outcomes than SNFPAP group. In conclusion, this study showed that a DPFWP flap brought better results than a SNFPAP flap in terms of complications, cosmetic appearance, and functional outcomes for patients undergoing reconstruction of foot and ankle defects.

Lymphoedema rates in pedicled anterolateral thigh flaps for coverage of irradiated groin defects

BACKGROUND

Limb salvage surgery in conjunction with adjuvant radiotherapy is the preferred treatment for soft tissue sarcoma. This study aims to determine if ipsilateral pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction of groin defects post soft tissue sarcoma resection results in acceptable rates of lymphoedema, while also providing good soft tissue cover and minimal donor site morbidity.

METHODS

A retrospective chart audit was conducted with ethics approval, obtaining a case series of 16 patients operated on at a single institution by the senior surgeon. Patients who underwent ipsilateral pedicled ALT flap coverage of irradiated groin defects following soft tissue sarcoma resection were included. Comparative six-point limb circumference measurements were utilized to diagnose lymphoedema, with a difference of 10% when compared to the non-operative side being deemed significant.

RESULTS

Lymphoedema was noted in three patients (18.8%) with an average follow-up period of 40.9 (range 8-59) months.

CONCLUSION

Previously published lymphoedema rates in sarcoma limb salvage surgery of 15.5-30% are comparable to the rates obtained in this cohort. Lymphoedema rates do not appear to be higher in patients undergoing ipsilateral pedicled ALT flap reconstruction, thus making it a useful soft tissue coverage technique in this cohort.

Topical vasodilator response in skeletonized internal mammary artery: Is there really a difference?

Aim of the Study:

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is the gold standard for the treatment of multivessel and left main coronary artery disease. However, there is considerable debate that whether left internal mammary artery (IMA) should be taken as pedicled or skeletonized. This study was conducted to assess the difference in blood flow after the application of topical vasodilator in skeletonized and pedicled IMA.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, each patient underwent either skeletonized (n = 25) or pedicled IMA harvesting (n = 25). The type of graft on each individual patient was decided randomly. Intraoperative variables such as conduit length and blood flow were measured by the surgeon himself. The length of the grafted IMA was carefully determined in vivo, with the proximal and distal ends attached, from the first rib to IMA divergence. The IMA flow was measured on two separate occasions, before and after application of topical vasodilator. Known cases of subclavian artery stenosis and previous sternal radiation were excluded from the study.

Results:

The blood flow before the application of topical vasodilator was similar in both the groups (P = 0.227). However, the flow was significantly less in pedicled than skeletonized IMA after application of vasodilator (P < 0.0001). Similarly, the length of skeletonized graft was significantly higher than the length of pedicled graft (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Our study signifies that skeletonization of IMA results in increased graft length and blood flow after the application of topical vasodilator. However, we recommend that long-term clinical trials should be conducted to fully determine long-term patency rates of skeletonized IMA.

Comparison of the Quality of Life after Skeletonized versus Pedicled Grafts in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

It remains a controversial issue whether internal thoracic artery (ITA) should be dissected in skeletonized or pedicled manner during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The main objective of this cohort study was to compare skeletonized versus pedicled grafts on the basis of patients' perceptions of their physical and mental well-being. Isolated nonemergent CABG patients were divided into two groups according to the type of graft used; skeletonized or pedicled. The quality of life (QOL) was measured preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively for each patient using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey tool. The main outcome variables were physical component summary (PCS) score and mental component summary (MCS) score. A total of 140 patients were included in the study with 70 patients in each group. The PCS (p-value = 0.235) and MCS (p-value = 0.239) scores of patients were similar in both the groups before CABG. The PCS and MCS scores were significantly (p-values < 0.0001) improved after CABG at 6 months in both the groups. However, the PCS and MCS scores in the skeletonized group were significantly higher (p-values < 0.0001) than the scores in the pedicled group at 6 and 12 months post-CABG. Both the harvesting techniques improve QOL significantly after CABG. However, skeletonization results in significantly better PCS and MCS scores compared with pedicled harvesting technique.

Dorsoradial forearm flap with silicone bone spacer in reconstruction of A combined THUMB injury - case report

Osseous reconstruction of the thumb following traumatic bone loss can be approached through a variety of techniques. The use of a silicone spacer with secondary bone grafting is a valid therapeutic option. In case of combined injuries, simultaneous immediate reconstruction of missing soft tissues over the spacer by well-vascularised skin cover is essential. Dorsoradial forearm flap has recently been described as distally based cutaneous pedicled flap on the dorsoradial artery, a constant branch of the radial artery. A case of a 52-year-old male patient with a combined injury of the thumb with bone loss of the proximal phalanx and with the loss of dorsal skin reconstructed primarily with bone silicon spacer and together with emergency dorsoradial forearm flap is reported together with a brief literature review.

Both skeletonized and pedicled internal thoracic arteries supply adequate graft flow after coronary artery bypass grafting even during intense sympathoexcitation

The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is harvested by either the pedicled or the skeletonized technique in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with no clear advantage of one technique over the other. We compared graft flow between the pedicled and skeletonized ITA grafts while varying myocardial oxygen demand. CABG was performed to the left anterior descending artery in five anesthetized dogs using a pedicled ITA graft and the graft was subsequently skeletonized. Graft flow was measured during stepwise electrical stimulation of the stellate ganglion. The baseline graft flow before sympathetic stimulation was higher in skeletonized (27.8 ± 1.9 ml/min) than that in pedicled ITA grafts (22.6 ± 2.7 ml/min) (P < 0.05). In both ITA grafts, however, graft flow increased to a similar level during sympathetic stimulation that doubled the double product, correlating with the double product. Based on these results, we conclude that metabolic demand can override the potential difference in sympathetic vasoconstriction in both pedicled and skeletonized ITA grafts.

The evolution of the pedicled radial forearm flap

Because of the thin skin envelope of the hand, especially at the dorsum, flaps are frequently required for defect reconstruction in the hand. The pedicled radial forearm flap is a time proven procedure that offers reliable coverage in this area without the need of advanced microsurgical expertise. Despite several alternatives and an increasing acceptance of free tissue transfers, the pedicled radial forearm flap can still be the procedure of choice under special circumstances. Variations of the original technique address the two main disadvantages, the conspicuous donor site and the sacrifice of the radial artery. Indications, anatomy, surgical technique, and limitations of this classic workhorse flap are presented.